Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545696
4 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 3 JULY 2026 NEWS Gozo Channel issues tender call for fourth ship: Opposition calls it a temporary fix GOZO Channel Operations Ltd has issued a competitive call for tenders for the char- tering of a fourth vessel to op- erate on the Malta–Gozo ferry route. The move is expected to re- place the current Nikolaos ship and strengthen the inter-island service. The initiative, announced through the Ministry for Gozo, aims to expand the ex- isting fleet and improve the resilience, reliability and fre- quency of operations between Cirkewwa in Malta and Mġarr in Gozo. The contract, if awarded, will run for an initial period of two years. It is designed to attract a wide range of operators, with bids to be evaluated on a best price–quality balance rather than cost alone. The additional vessel is in- tended to support rising pas- senger and vehicle demand on the busy route, while ensuring continuity of service as the ex- isting fleet—comprising the Ta' Pinu, Gaudos and Nikola- os—continues operations. Gozo Channel Operations Ltd, which manages the ferry link between the two islands, said the measure forms part of wider efforts to safeguard con- nectivity, which it described as essential to Gozo's economy, mobility and quality of life. The Ministry for Gozo said the investment reflects its ongoing commitment to strengthening transport links between Malta and Gozo, en- suring higher service standards and greater operational resil- ience. PN says Gozo needs permanent connectivity plan, not 'temporary fixes' The government's decision to issue a call for tenders for the lease of a fourth Gozo Channel vessel shows that, after 13 years in office, Labour still lacks a perma- nent plan to address Gozo's con- nectivity needs, the Nationalist Party said. In a statement, Shadow Minister for Gozo Frank Anthony Tabone said Gozitans had been waiting for a "permanent, modern and reliable solution" for their con- nection with Malta and could not continue relying on "temporary fixes and patchwork measures". The Opposition said that while the addition of a fourth vessel rec- ognises the need for increased ca- pacity, the move does not address the long-term requirements of Gozo's transport infrastructure. The PN called on the govern- ment to clarify whether the tender conditions would attract genuine competition and to disclose the expected cost of the lease to tax- payers. It also urged the government to present a concrete plan to modernise the Gozo Channel fleet, arguing that Gozo's con- nectivity should be treated as essential national infrastructure. "Gozo needs a fourth vessel, but above all it needs long-term investment, serious planning and modern vessels capable of delivering a quality service," Tabone said. The Opposition said it would continue pushing for strong- er Malta-Gozo links through a modern fleet capable of meet- ing current and future demand, while accusing the government of delaying action on an issue affecting Gozitan families and businesses. CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 For Nadur, the figures repre- sent a record year. The library lent 26,152 books in 2025, up from 24,225 in 2024, an 8% increase, and above the previ- ous high of 24,253 recorded in 2023. The latest figures also place Nadur seventh among all pub- lic libraries in Malta and Gozo. Floriana topped the national rankings with 97,244 loans, fol- lowed by Mosta (40,808), Vic- toria (33,553), Luqa (33,315), Birkirkara (32,745) and Ħ'At- tard (28,211). The steady growth in Na- dur's lending figures comes despite ongoing concerns over declining reading habits and increased competition from digital media, suggesting con- tinued demand for tradition- al library services within the community. In a statement accompanying the publication of the statistics, Nadur Public Library thanked residents for helping make it "one of the most active libraries in Malta and Gozo." The figures are based on the National Statistics Office's an- nual data on total public library book loans by year and locality. Reporting by Laura Calleja Nadur library posts record lending year, climbs to seventh nationally Mgarr Harbour, Gozo