The process which selected Islands Ferry Network Limited as the operator for the fast-ferry service is currently subject to appeal in front of the Public Contracts Review Board, Gozo Minister Justyne Caruana has revealed.

On 14 April, the Gozo Ministry announced that the Gozo Channel had reached an agreement with Islands Ferry Network Limited for the fast ferry service between Gozo and Malta. Islands Ferry Network Limited is owned by Fortina and Magro Brothers Limited.

The call for expressions of interest was opened in February of this year. The Gozo Channel had received seven offers.

Replying to a parliamentary question tabled by MP Chris Said asking who the other seven applicants were, Caruana said that the offer is currently under appeal and that she could not provide any additional information at this stage.

Following the initial announcement, Virtu Ferries Ltd released a statement saying that the Gozo Channel was highly irresponsible to award a contract for the operation of a fast-ferry service to a company that was set up “barely a week ago” and had no experience of shipping services.

The company said that the tender required that the operator should have five years experience in ferry operation, and a minimum of €10 million in turnover, and to provide audited financial statements for 2016.