Gozo Channel Operations Ltd has issued a competitive call for tenders for the charter of a fourth vessel to operate on the Malta-Gozo ferry route.

Sources told The Malta Independent that the vessel will replace the MV Nikolaos – a greek vessel which was leased to the Gozo Channel fleet in June 2019.

The Nikolaos was initially meant as a short-term solution until Gozo Channel leased or commissioned a new vessel instead, but has remained operating within the ferry fleet since.

The Ministry for Gozo said in a statement the new vessel to be leased is intended to strengthen the current fleet and help ensure a more reliable, efficient and resilient service between Malta and Gozo.

“The tender is for the charter of a fourth ferry through a time charter agreement. The eventual contract will cover an initial period of two years,” the ministry said.

According to the ministry, the call has been designed to attract a broad range of operators, with offers to be assessed on the basis of the best balance between price and quality.

The move forms part of the ministry’s efforts to safeguard connectivity between the two islands, which it described as essential for Gozo.

The fourth vessel is expected to help meet increasing demand for passenger and vehicle transport, while supporting service frequency, reliability and standards on the Ċirkewwa to Mġarr route.

The Ministry for Gozo said it remains committed to strengthening Gozo’s connectivity, given its importance for mobility, economic activity, residents and businesses.