Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542465
GozoToday is a weekly newspaper focused primarily on Gozo. It hopes to serve as a source of information on business, culture, entertainment and of course current affairs. Gozo has a special charm about it but it is also a bustling Island with an identity of its own. GozoToday is published every Friday and is available to numerous outlets in Gozo and on the ferries that carry so many visitors to Gozo from Malta and beyond. GozoToday MediaToday Co. Ltd, Vjal ir-Rihan San Gwann SGN 9016 ASSISTANT EDITOR: LAURA CALLEJA Tel: (356) 21 382741-3, 21 382745-6 Website: www.maltatoday.com.mt E-mail: dailynews@mediatoday.com.mt 3 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 9 JANUARY 2026 NEWS MV Gaudos to be out of service for dry- dock maintenance THE MV Gaudos will be tak- en out of service for dry-dock maintenance from Wednesday, 7 January until Wednesday, 4 February 2026, Gozo Channel announced on Tuesday. During the maintenance peri- od, Gozo Channel will operate a temporary timetable using its remaining vessels to maintain ferry services between Malta and Gozo. The revised schedule will be published on the Gozo Chan- nel website and across its social media platforms. Passengers are being advised to check the latest timetable before travel- ling. Gozo Channel said the main- tenance works form part of its ongoing commitment to en- sure safe and reliable ferry op- erations and apologised for any inconvenience caused. Further information is avail- able from www.gozochannel. com or by calling 2210 9000. The MV Gaudos will be taken out of service for dry-dock maintenance from Wednesday, 7 January until Wednesday, 4 February 2026 CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 Speaking at a press confer- ence at Ċirkewwa Harbour, Shadow Minister for Gozo Chris Said and Shadow Minis- ter for Transport, Agriculture and Fisheries Toni Bezzina said the chaos experienced by thousands of passengers was not caused by adverse weather, contrary to government claims. They argued that the disrup- tions were the predictable result of years of insufficient investment in inter-island con- nectivity and criticised reliance on a second-hand vessel, the MV Nicolaos, which they said is costly to operate, has lower passenger capacity, and is less accessible than older ships. Said and Bezzina noted that vessels introduced under pre- vious Nationalist administra- tions could carry around 900 passengers each, while the MV Nicolaos has a capacity of about 400. They also questioned why, on Friday 2 January, Gozo Channel vessels reportedly op- erated at around half capacity despite high demand, leaving passengers waiting for hours in cold and rainy conditions. The opposition also raised concerns about contractor workers employed by Gozo Channel, saying repeated gov- ernment promises of perma- nent employment have not been fulfilled and may have contributed to staffing short- ages during peak travel days. They rejected claims that suspensions of the fast ferry service significantly worsened delays, noting that it carries fewer passengers and runs hourly. In response, the Ministry for Gozo dismissed the Nation- alist Party's criticism as "un- founded and political." Of- ficials highlighted record numbers of Maltese and inter- national visitors to Gozo over the festive season, with the Fast Ferry service carrying more than 2.2 million passengers in 2025 — an increase of 258,000 over 2024 — supported by ex- panded timetables and the op- eration of four ships. The Ministry said temporary disruptions yesterday, caused by adverse weather and re- quiring route changes around Comino, were managed effi- ciently by the Gozo Channel, police, and Transport Malta. Officials also noted that Gozo is attracting visitors year- round, citing a rise in tour- ism during shoulder months and 165 Christmas-themed events across the island in December. The government criti- cised the opposition for seeking to "create pan- ic" rather than acknowl- edging Gozo's growing popularity and economic development, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening services, improving connec- tivity, and ensuring the island remains a year-round destina- tion. Government rejects PN criticism, calling allegations 'unfounded and political' Passengers queue for hours at Cirkewwa amid festive ferry disruptions between Malta and Gozo. Inset: Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri