Gozo Channel expected to get a new CEO

Gozo Channel executive chairman Joe Cordina is expected to step down with Gozo Ministry official Ronald Sultana to step in shortly.

The change in the ferry service’s leadership is part of a wider restructuring in the government-owned company, with the roles of chairman and chief executive officer to be separated.

Sultana is expected to be made CEO.

Joe Cordina was appointed executive chairman of Gozo Channel in April 2013, weeks after the Labour Party returned to government. Times of Malta understands he will remain with the company as a financial consultant.

“Cordina will stay on to ensure some continuity,” sources told Times of Malta.

Incoming CEO Sultana will have to deliver on a number of promises made by the re-elected Labour government.

These include spending €130 million to buy two new ships and refurbish the three ships the company currently owns.

The first set deadline for Sultana will be to publish the tender to buy the new ships by the end of the year.

The government has also pledged that Gozo Channel will operate a new cargo route from the Freeport in Birżebbuġa and Grand Harbour to Gozo during this legislature.

The new CEO will also have to oversee making Gozo Channel trips free for pedestrian passengers and improving the company’s digital platforms and ticketing systems.

Ongoing equal pay for equal work among government-employed and contractor-employed workers will be another headache the new CEO will have to deal with.

A ballooning workforce that performs work that can be streamlined is another issue many bring up about the company.

Sultana has served as director responsible for tourism and economic development within the Gozo Ministry since 2019.

During this period, Gozo registered significant growth in tourism and investment, sources pointed out.

“Ronald Sultana’s experience in tourism means he can help guide the company through the transformation it needs,” sources said.