The Ministry for Gozo has announced that two companies, Caronte e Tourist S.p.a and Ragusa Xpress Ltd, submitted their bids following the closure of the call for tenders for a temporary fourth vessel.

In a statement on Facebook, Camilleri said the evaluation process for these submissions will commence in the coming days and weeks.

This charter arrangement serves as an interim measure until two new permanent vessels are purchased to join the existing fleet, aligning with the long-term strategy for the future of the Gozo crossing service.

The new fourth vessel will be replacing the Nikolaos, which has been chartered by Gozo Channel for several years but which has limited operations and has been the subject of so much criticism by passengers.