Although operating a fast-ferry service from Sicily to Gozo will have a high economic return in the long run, it will be very difficult to find an operator to start it off due to the high risks involved in the venture, the results of a feasibility study have found.

The Malta Maritime Authority, in collaboration with the Port Authority of Catania, Sicily yesterday hosted a workshop that presented the results of a feasibility study on the development of direct ferry links to Gozo from Catania.

The study, launched last year by the Malta Maritime Authority and Catania Port Authority, forms part of Project Cavalgo and concerns the development of direct links to Gozo using a fast ferry or catamaran service, which will enable both passengers and vehicles, including trailers, to depart from Gozo directly to destinations in Europe via Sicily.

Project Cavalgo aims to increase maritime traffic in the long-term between Sicily and Malta by 55 per cent, from the current average of 47,250 passengers to around 70,000 a year.

Mr Montford, from Europa Research and Consultancy Services, said that fast-ferry service is cost-intensive and that the small size of the market is a problem.

“A triangular service between Malta, Gozo and Catania would help decrease the cost but, in turn, would lengthen the trip by an hour,” he said.

Furthermore, he added, even though it will give high economic returns in the long run it will be difficult to find an operator who is ready to start it off as it is “a high risk venture.”

Communications and Competitiveness Minister Censu Galea said that the project will improve cohesion between the three islands: Malta, Gozo and Sicily.

He pointed out that the government invested heavily in improving the daily ferry service and in starting off an air-link.

Mr Galea said that there are plans to market Gozo as a destination of its own.

Furthermore, he added, the government is considering placing a 10,000-tonne mooring bay just outside Xlendi.

“The government is developing plans for the construction of a cruise-liner berth on the outer part of the Mgarr breakwater for 200m cruise liners,” he said.

MMA official and Cavalgo project leader Chris Farrugia explained that the project aims to increase maritime traffic between the three islands.

“The project will cost a total of Lm244,701 (EUR570,000) – 74 per cent of which will be funded by Catania and the remaining 26 per cent funded by Malta,” he said.

Chris Fisher, from Fisher Associates, that the Mgarr harbour has many different uses – the Gozo ferry, private boats and fishermen among others and added that there is limited water area in the harbour and a limited land area surrounding the port.

“There is only a two-lane road that leads down to the Mgarr Harbour and there is a very high peak flow of passengers and vehicles that often causes many passengers to miss the boat and wait in long queues,” said Mr Fisher.

He went on to say that there is a lack of suitable facilities to take up a fast ferry service and that Gozo’s market size is still too small.

“In fact, it could be possible to introduce a triangular service between Mgarr, Sicily and Valletta,” he said.

Mr Fisher said that, regardless of whether Cavalgo project will be implemented or not, the Mgarr harbour will need more ferry boats due to the increase in passengers over the years.

“The government has to start planning these things from now,” he said.

His colleague from Fisher Associates, Richard Holland, said that it is estimated that there will be a 50 to 75 per cent increase in port facilities in 2026.

Mr Holland said that the Mgarr Harbour and its access road remain are Gozo’s key most important infrastructure.

“Doing nothing about it is not a viable option as the demand will increase,” he said.

Mr Holland presented three possible options that could be used in the Cavalgo project.

“The first option considers leaving the Mgarr Harbour as it is and this is not an idea solution,” he said.

In the second option, there’s more reclaimed land inside the actual Mgarr Harbour and a new proposed breakwater to accommodate a new yacht marina and a small cruise liner berth outside the breakwater.

The third option looks into the possibility of moving out the existent breakwater further out at sea and includes a cruise liner terminal made out of reclaimed land outside the new breakwater.

Mr Holland said that the last is the most viable option for a number of reasons.

“The expenditure will be spread over a number of years and complies with the Gozo general plan put forward by the government,” he said.