During the second quarter of 2007, sea transport between Malta and Gozo, by scheduled ferries, registered increases, National Statistics Office figures announced yesterday.

Compared to the same quarter last year, the number of commuters between the Islands increased by 4.7 per cent. Furthermore, the number of vehicles carried by scheduled vessels went up by 7.1 per cent.

The above-mentioned increases in demand, were serviced by a relatively smaller increase in supply. The number of trips in the period under review stood at 4,711, implying an increase of 1.3 per cent over the comparable period last year.

It is worth noting that the Ta' Pinu vessel reduced its trips significantly in this period, by 758, due to being docked for repairs for approximately a week in May and two weeks in June. Conversely, the Gaudos increased its trips by 814 to compensate for the Ta' Pinu vessel.

The MV Malita has a constantly greater average compared to the other two vessels, due to its greater vehicle carrying capacity.