Malta’s two Gozo fast ferry companies have merged to form a single service called Gozo Highspeed.

Virtu Ferries, which has long run the ferry crossing between Malta and Sicily, and Gozo Fast Ferries, owned by Bianchi Group and Merrill Investments, who ran the previous separate services, will now be offering a single service between Malta and Gozo.

Prices start at €9.50 on return trips for online bookings, while the company is also offering Gozitan Passengers seven return tickets at €20 which must be used within a week.

“With an unwavering commitment to reliability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction, Gozo Highspeed promises to revolutionize the travel experience for both commuters and tourists,” the company said.

“Understanding the value of time for our commuters, Gozo Highspeed offers multiple daily departures, allowing passengers to plan their journeys easily. By minimising waiting times and providing modern facilities, Gozo Highspeed ensures a stress-free and comfortable voyage, delivering the comfort and convenience passengers deserve,” it added.

“With years of experience in the ferry industry, Gozo Highspeed’s team of experts is dedicated to provide a top-notch service that surpasses expectations. Every aspect of the journey, from boarding to arrival, is meticulously designed to create a smooth and enjoyable experience for all passengers.”

The fast ferry service was launched in June 2021 after several fiascos with regards to the tendering process – fiascos which became so exasperatingly common that the government simply resolved to forget about offering a tender and allowing the free market to reign.

However, it soon became clear that the two services could not co-exist sustainably: within a year the number of trips between the two islands had decreased from 18 every weekday to 10 trips every weekday.

The two operators ultimately reached an agreement with each other on a common schedule, thereby creating a near monopoly.

Both of the operators themselves told a parliamentary committee that the service was “absolutely not financially viable” and said that government intervention in the form of a public service obligation was required.

The government later proposed a public service contract for the service with a value of €12 million over two years which would allow hospital patients to travel on the ferry for free.