A return ferry trip from Liverpool to the Isle of Man (distance 125 kilometres) for two adults and a car, in mid-September, travelling on the Steam Packet Company, would cost me €299.50.

The exact same criteria but, this time, Liverpool to Dublin with P&O Ferries (distance 270.4 kilometres), would cost about €311.

A return trip from Palermo to Cagliari (distance 465 kilometres) with Tirrenia, again using the same criteria, would cost me €224.46.

So would someone kindly enlighten me why a mid-September ‘normal return’ trip from Valletta to Pozzallo (distance 95 kilometres) would cost me €433 with Virtu Ferries?

This is daylight robbery.

The sea link between Malta and mainland Europe is of strategic importance and it is scandalous – not to mention shameful – that we have to put up with this blatant abuse of a monopoly.

Surely the government’s declared ‘business friendly’ approach ought not extend to turning a blind eye to such an unfair situation.

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