The Gozo Ministry’s idea to bring in, initially as a temporary measure, a fourth vessel to improve the shuttle service between Mgarr and Cirkewwa has had its desired effect.

After the initial grumpiness from the usual suspects about the age of the vessel that was brought in, all frequent visitors to the sister island came to like the idea of a more efficient coming-and-going. The real test was the Santa Marija week, which was usually a time when Gozo Channel Ltd was stretched to the limit and the three vessels available were unable to cope with the traffic.

This year, the system worked almost to perfection. There were no long queues going back to Marfa on one side and the limits of Ghajnsielem or Qala on the other. There were no hours-long delays in the hot summer days for people travelling to Gozo for a holiday, and neither did they suffer the frustration of a long waiting time to board the vessel on the way back.

The idea has worked so well that Minister Justyne Caruana recently announced that the deal has been extended so that the fourth vessel will remain available for a longer period of time than originally intended.

The efficiency of the service with a fourth vessel on the Gozo Channel fleet has re-ignited the debate on whether a tunnel should be built to facilitate access between the two islands. The government has embarked on a long-term plan to see the construction of the under-sea permanent link, and in this case it is fully supported by the Nationalist Party.

Geological and environmental studies are still being conducted in preparation for the mega-project, but both the PL and the PN have already expressed themselves in favour.

Whether the plan for a tunnel should go ahead has now been put into question with the fourth vessel. Gozitans had been clamouring for the extra ship for years, and now that they have been served they are now wondering if it is enough to suit their needs.

There are different trains of thoughts, even among the Gozitan stakeholders.

In an interview with The Malta Independent, Gozo Tourism Association CEO Joe Muscat said that the fourth vessel is “like a floating tunnel” which has dramatically improved the service between Malta and Gozo. He implied that, at the very least, we should go back to the drawing board and see whether the fourth vessel, together with an air-link and a fast ferry service, should be enough to resolve connectivity issues.

On the other hand, Gozo Business Chamber president Joseph Borg said that the fourth vessel should not replace the idea of having the tunnel. “The tunnel is always the best solution,” he said.

People arguing for the need of a tunnel bring up the wintry weather as one perfect example of how Gozo is always isolated when the seas are rough and the ships cannot operate between Mgarr and Cirkewwa. Others against the building of the tunnel speak of the environmental damage that this will cause apart from the fact that making Gozo more accessible would continue to erode its characteristics.

What is sure is that the tunnel remains a subject of controversy – and it will continue to be so whatever decision is taken.