Gozo Channel issues call for tender for lease of fourth vessel
The contract will be awarded for an initial period of two years
Updated 6pm
Gozo Channel Operations and the Gozo Ministry published a call for tenders for the lease of a fourth vessel to operate between Ċirkewwa and Mġarr.
The tender is for the chartering of a vessel through a time charter agreement, and the contract will be awarded for an initial period of two years.
The government said in a statement that the tender call is designed to attract a wide range of operators by applying the principle of the best price-quality ratio in the evaluation of bids.
It added that the initiative formed part of the ministry's commitment to safeguard connectivity for Gozo.
The additional vessel will help address the growing demand for passenger and vehicle transport, while contributing to maintaining high standards of service, reliability, and frequency.
'Gozitans deserve permanent solutions'
While welcoming the news of the tender, the Shadow Minister for Gozo criticised the government for failing to provide a permanent plan to address "one of Gozo's most crucial challenges".
In a statement Frank Anthony Tabone questioned whether the tender woud "attract genuine competition" and how much the lease will cost taxpayers.
He also asked what concrete plan is in place to permanently modernise the Gozo Channel Fleet.
"Gozitans have long been waiting for a permanent, modern and reliable solution to their connectivity with Malta. They cannot continue being offered temporary fixes and patchwork measures instead of a long-term vision," Tabone said.
He added the Nationalist Party has long insisted that Gozo's connetivity is "essential national infrastructure and must be given the highest priority".