- During the first quarter of 2023, the total number of vehicles and passengers increased by 8.2 and 21.8 per cent respectively, while the number of trips decreased by 7.0 per cent, when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2022 (Table 1).
- March registered the largest share of trips between the two islands during the quarter under review (Tables 3 and 7).
- During January-March 2023, passenger traffic originating from Ċirkewwa was busiest on Fridays and Saturdays, while vehicle traffic originating from Ċirkewwa was busiest on Fridays and Thursdays. On the other hand, from the Mġarr terminal, passenger and vehicle traffic was highest on Sundays and Mondays (Charts 4 and 5).
- March registered the highest number of trips between Mġarr and Valletta- 480 or 56.2 per cent of total trips for the quarter – and also the highest number of passengers – 36,585 or 50.4 per cent for the quarter (Table 7).
Sea transport between Malta and Gozo
Between January and March 2023, a total of 8,742 trips were carried out, carrying a total of 1,254,008 passengers (Table 1). March was the busiest month recording a total of 3,497 trips or 40.0 per cent of total trips for the quarter (Tables 3 and 7).
Sea transport between Mġarr and Ċirkewwa
A total of 1,181,389 passengers travelled between Mġarr and Ċirkewwa during the first quarter of 2023, an increase of 22.8 per cent when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2022. The highest number of passengers was recorded in March – 447,873 or 37.9 per cent of the total for the quarter. When compared to the previous year, the number of vehicles increased by 8.2 per cent, totalling 439,784 (Tables 2 and 3).
The number of trips during the first quarter amounted to 7,888, an increase of 0.1 per cent over the same period in 2022 (Table 2). March registered the highest number of trips – 3,017 or 38.2 per cent of total trips for the quarter (Table 3).
During January-March 2023, passenger traffic originating from Ċirkewwa was busiest on Fridays and Saturdays, while vehicle traffic originating from Ċirkewwa was busiest on Fridays and Thursdays. On the other hand, from the Mġarr terminal, passenger and vehicle traffic was highest on Sundays and Mondays (Charts 4 and 5).
Chart 1. Passengers and vehicles crossing between Malta and Gozo
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Sea transport between Mġarr and Valletta
During the first quarter of 2023, a total of 854 trips were carried out carrying a total of 72,619 passengers (Table 6). When compared to same quarter in 2022, the number of trips decreased by 43.8 and the number passengers increased by 8.0 per cent. March registered the highest number of trips – 480 or 56.2 per cent of total trips for the quarter – and also the highest number of passengers – 36,585 or 50.4 per cent for the quarter (Table 7).
Map 1. Distribution of trips between Malta and Gozo during Q1/2023
Chart 2a. Distribution of passengers by type of transport
between Malta and Gozo during Q1/2023
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Chart 2b. Distribution of passengers by type of transport
between Malta and Gozo during Q1/2023
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Chart 3. Passengers and vehicles to and from Mġarr and Ċirkewwa
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Chart 4a. Vehicles to and from Mġarr by day of the week
January-March
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Chart 4b. Vehicles to and from Ċirkewwa by day of the week
January-March
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Chart 5a. Passengers to and from Mġarr by day of the week
January-March
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Chart 5b. Passengers to and from Ċirkewwa by day of the week
January-March
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Additional Tables and Charts
Methodological Notes
1. The source of the data included in this release is administrative information provided by the Gozo Channel Co. Ltd and Transport Malta.
2. The fast ferry service operating between Mġarr and Valletta commenced on 1 June 2021.
3. The table below illustrates the vehicle and passenger capacity of each Gozo Channel vessel:
| Vessel | Vehicles | Passengers |
|---|---|---|
| MV Gaudos | 72 | 900 |
| MV Malita | 138 | 900 |
| MV Ta' Pinu | 138 | 900 |
| MV Nikolaos | 160 | 650 (Summer)/ 350 (Winter) |
Periods when vessels were out of service for docking purposes:
MV Gaudos: 04/01/2021-11/02/2021.
MV Malita: 06/01/2022-10/02/2022.
MV Ta’ Pinu: 09/01/2023-02/02/2023 and 27/02/2023-02/03/2023.
MV Nikolaos started operating on 13/06/2019.
MV Nikolaos was put temporarily out of service as from 25/04/2022-29/05/2022.
4. The table below illustrates the passenger capacity of each fast ferry service vessel:
| Vessel | Passengers |
|---|---|
| Your Wisdom (Gozo Fast Ferry Ltd) | 296 |
| Your Faith (Gozo Fast Ferry Ltd) | 296 |
| Gozo Express (Virtu Ferries Ltd)* | 308 |
| San Franġisk (Virtu Ferries Ltd) | 316 |
*The fast ferry service vessel, Gozo Express (Virtu Ferries Ltd) replaced San Pawl (Virtu Ferries Ltd) on 17/05/2022.
5. Data for passengers travelling between Mġarr and Ċirkewwa comprises of foot and vehicle passengers and vehicle drivers. The fast ferry service does not allow for the transport of vehicles thus, only foot passengers are included.
6. Different approaches to data collection are being applied at the Mġarr and Ċirkewwa harbours with regards to the Gozo Channel service. Data source for the Mġarr side includes Automated Ticketing System (ATS), while data for the Ċirkewwa side is dependent on the manual clicking system.
7. The data is not normally subject to revision.
8. References to this news release are to be cited appropriately.
9. More information relating to this news release is available in the Sources and Methods.
10. Statistics in this News Release should be interpreted in the context of the COVID-19 situation.
11. A detailed news release calendar is available online.
