Long queues for the Gozo Ferry persist at the moment along Marfa road Cirkewwa while traffic for the ferry in Mgarr, Gozo is increasing as well, a second day of chaos as transport services between the two islands are disrupted.
Gozo Channel vessels are currently passing from behind Comino due to rough sea, with delays being experienced by commuters, also because the Gozo Fast Ferry is currently suspended due to rough sea.
While the government speaks about the situation from a positive angle, saying “record” numbers were registered, the Nationalist Party gave a different perspective.
In a statement Saturday, the Nationalist Party said Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri attempted to conceal the fact that, yesterday, “as a result of his incompetence”, many of the Gozo Channel vessels were operating at almost half their passenger capacity. This was a clear consequence of mismanagement, as insufficient staff was allocated to the shifts. As a result, passengers were left behind and vessels were operating at only half capacity.
With an incompetent Minister, Gozo Channel employees, the Police and Transport Malta were left trying to cope with the chaos created by the Minister’s mismanagement of the Gozo Channel company, the PN said.
The party said it cannot ignore the lack of planning that led to these circumstances and also expresses solidarity with the thousands of people who were stuck in traffic for long hours, as well as many others – Maltese and tourists alike – who were left waiting in the cold in long queues for extended periods to board the ferry on foot. Nor should we forget the many Gozitans who were waiting to cross to Malta for work-related reasons.
It is pointless for the Minister for Gozo to attempt to justify what happened by blaming the weather, as though this were the first time strong winds had led to the suspension of the Fast Ferry service or forced Gozo Channel vessels to sail via the route behind Comino.
Yet, when faced with yesterday’s chaotic situation, Camilleri did not hesitate to insult people’s intelligence and, confronted with the failure in planning and managing Gozo Channel services, resorted to blaming the weather. He even took to social media to declare that what occurred was due to thousands of people crossing back to Malta at the same time and because “large crowds had gathered” as a result of adverse weather conditions, the PN said.
What he failed to say is that Gozo Channel vessels were not carrying their maximum passenger capacity due to serious mismanagement within Gozo Channel, the statement said.
In reply, the the Ministry for Gozo and Planning “categorically rejected” what it described as unfounded and politically motivated allegations made by the Nationalist Party, accusing it of once again attempting to undermine the government’s work aimed at ensuring Gozo’s economic and social growth.
According to the ministry, the facts are clear and indisputable. Gozo is currently attracting record numbers of Maltese visitors and tourists, which it said is concrete evidence that government investment and planning are delivering results. Over recent months, trips operated by Gozo Channel have increased consistently, supported by a fleet of four vessels that, the ministry said, have adequately met demand in recent years.
The Fast Ferry service also registered a historic record in 2025, carrying more than 2.2 million passengers. This represents an increase of 258,000 passengers compared to 2024. The ministry said this growth reflected improved and more reliable connectivity between Malta and Gozo. It added that this was made possible through agreements between the government and operators to introduce more frequent timetables to meet strong demand, a situation it claimed did not exist under previous Nationalist administrations.
The ministry described it as ironic that the Nationalist Party now claims to be concerned about Gozo, arguing that for many years it treated the island as an afterthought, marked by a lack of vision, strong seasonality and an economy that stagnated once summer ended. By contrast, it said, current government policies have helped attract visitors to Gozo throughout the year.
Gozo has also experienced a significant increase in tourist numbers during the so-called shoulder months, which were traditionally quieter. The ministry noted that this did not happen by chance. During December alone, 165 different Christmas-related activities were organised in Gozo, attracting thousands of families, both Maltese and tourists, to the island. This, it said, contrasts sharply with the situation under previous administrations.
Referring to the disruption experienced yesterday, the ministry explained that adverse weather conditions led to the suspension of the Fast Ferry service and changes to ferry routes, which were diverted to pass behind Comino. These factors, it said, can affect any maritime operation. Despite this, Gozo Channel, together with the police and Transport Malta, worked continuously to manage the situation as efficiently as possible.
Instead of acknowledging the effort being made and the success being achieved, the ministry said the Nationalist Party chose to create panic and ignore what it described as a positive challenge facing Gozo: that of success and strong demand.
The Ministry for Gozo and Planning reiterated its commitment to further strengthening services, investing in connectivity and ensuring that Gozo remains a year-round destination offering opportunities for all.