Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544087
5 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 27 MARCH 2026 OPINION & NEWS A modern take for Gozo Channel ferries IT is good news that the gov- ernment announced it will be investing in the construction of the fourth and fifth Gozo ferry ships. It is 26 years since the first Gozo ferry was pur- posely built by Maltese work- ers and put in service. It was a privilege to have formed part of the team that built the MV Ta' Pinu, the MV Gaudos and the MV Melita. The con- struction of the first ferry was completed in the Marsa dock at the ex-Malta Shipbuilding Co Ltd (MSCL) in December 1999. The first ferry, Ta' Pinu, was put in service in March 2000 after the naming cere- mony took place in the pres- ence of then Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami. The MSCL workers, including my- self, are proud of having built these three ships from scratch and are still operating after more than two decades. The gained experience from building 16 vessels at the MS- CL prompted me to share my thoughts on a 46-year career in the marine sector. I suggest the government consider building the new ferries with one wheelhouse instead of two, similar to Norwegian ferries. The dou- ble navigational, electrical systems, and outfitting su- perstructure used for both wheelhouses will be reduced to one, which eventually de- creases cost and thus reduces gas emissions. The wheelhouse space could be utilised to accommodate batteries and solar panels. These eco-friendly measures are in use on other ships and evident on the scheduled Ro- Ro ships entering the Grand Harbour. The energy-efficient system will eventually reduce emissions. The Ulstein four engines (or Rolls Royce) cou- pled with 1.575 kVA, 440V, 60Hz generators could be changed to a cleaner fuel such as LNG, methanol or hydro- gen if the present marine technology is approved by the classification society. Howev- er, having an adequate storage infrastructure for these clean- er fuels is important. The present capacity of the ferries allows for the carriage of up to 158 cars and 900 pas- sengers. The demand for peo- ple crossing the two islands is increasing, so the capacity of the ferries must increase to ease the long queuing of cars especially during summer- time. The increase/decrease of the dead weight tonnage (DWT) of the new ferries must also be considered. Ac- cessibility for passengers with disabilities should increase to a minimum of two bigger lifts. The ventilation system in the car decks should be expanded from the current six points to cater for the discharge of ex- haust. This is necessary when passengers with physical ma- noeuvring disability prefer to stay in their air-conditioned cars during the crossing of the islands. The existing ferry ships have four 1MW azimuth thrusters to propel ensure manoeuvra- bility during berthing in bad sea conditions. But other con- figurations of propulsion sys- tems could be explored. The power demand of the azimuth thrusters and other electrical motors could be reduced if an energy efficient hull is de- signed and soft starters are exploited. The government must also decide whether to opt for a different hull design. These are just random thoughts gleaned from years of experience and which I hope could be useful in the design of the new ferries. Alfred Buttigieg Ex-Malta Shipbuilding divisional manager CONCERNS over sewage pol- lution affecting multiple coastal areas in Malta, including Gozo, were raised at the European Par- liament this week, with calls for stronger enforcement of envi- ronmental laws. Addressing MEPs, Benjamin Mifsud Scicluna of Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar presented a petition warning that un- treated waste- water is being d i s c h a r g e d into the sea, leading to re- peated beach closures and risks to public health and marine ecosystems. He said the problem is widespread and systemic, af- fecting several localities such as Xgħajra, Gżira, Sliema, St Julian's, Bugibba, Mellieħa and Gozo, arguing that infrastruc- ture is struggling to cope with increasing development and population pressures. "This is the daily reality for many Maltese citizens," he said, noting that families are encountering polluted waters instead of safe bathing condi- tions. Mifsud Scicluna said the broader impacts of the is- sue, including declining water quality, damage to marine life, health risks, reduced quality of life and weakening trust in environmental governance. He added that despite EU di- rectives and court rulings, lit- tle progress has been made, raising con- cerns about en- forcement at both national and Europe- an levels. He called on the Eu- r o p e a n C o m m i s s i o n to strengthen oversight through stricter enforcement, improved monitoring and concrete action in cases of non-compliance. During the same hearing, Maltese MEP Peter Agius ech- oed the concerns, warning that environmental rules risk be- coming ineffective if not prop- erly enforced. He stressed that citizens have a fundamental right to clean and safe seas and cautioned that continued inac- tion could erode public trust in institutions. Sewage pollution concerns in Gozo and Malta raised at European Parliament Left to right: Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar Benjamin Mifsud Scicluna and Nationalist MEP Peter Agius The construction of the first ferry was completed in the Marsa dock at the ex-Malta Shipbuilding Co Ltd (MSCL) in December 1999