A Gozo Channel ferry moored for the first time yesterday at the new berth in Cirkewwa.
The new berth has just been completed by the Malta Maritime Authority as part of the Lm13 million Cirkewwa terminal project.
The new berth marks the completion of phase 1B of the project, which also includes the construction of a berth at Comino and land reclamation of over 11,000 square metres.
The land reclamation, backfilled to 2.1 metres above sea level, will be used to provide better marshalling and car parking facilities at Cirkewwa.
The new berth will allow two ferries to be operational from Cirkewwa while the Comino berth is designed for boats that provide passenger services to and from the tiny island.
Transport and Communications Minister Censu Galea, who was present for the occasion, said works on the extension of the existing Cirkewwa berth had also commenced. Once completed, the berth would enable the Gozo ferries to moor in all weather conditions.
Three million passengers and over three quarters of a million vehicles use the terminal each year.