Council favours cruise liner terminal

Ghajnsielem council is among those who have been asked to give its views on a proposal for small and medium size cruise liners to berth in Mgarr harbour. Malta Maritime Authority (MMA), has applied to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) to build a terminal for the liners.

In the Project Description Statement which was forwarded to the local council, the MMA said it is currently considering conducting proper environmental feasibility Studies to accommodate as many users of Mgarr harbour as possible.

The statement explained that there is currently no space available for commercial and cruise liner activity, since the ferry operators are making use of three berths in Gozo.

It also emphasised how the Mgarr harbour is the only harbour available to the fishing fleet in Gozo and the only one which can provide a safe night berth for yachts and small crafts in almost all weather conditions.

The project entails the construction of three dolphins, each 20 metres long and 10 metres wide, outside the main breakwater, which will accommodate vessels up to 100 metres in length. This berth is sheltered from the north west wind (majjistral), which had the largest percentage frequency in Malta and is also protected from the west and north winds.

Ghajnsielem mayor Frans Cauchi told The Sunday Times that such a project, which will increase the number of tourist visiting Gozo all year round, could be economically beneficial towards the island.

He believes that a parking area for coaches should be built for incoming tourists from the cruise liners. The time has also come for a council proposal to build an alternative road from the harbour to Ghajnsielem, which has been included in the latest edition of the Gozo and Comino Local Plan.

The council believes that both proposals, if implemented, would eliminate a large amount of traffic congestion at the harbour and along Mgarr Road.

MMA Marketing and Communications manager Charles Axisa told The Sunday Times that the MMA will shortly be releasing a statement with more information on the project and proposals which have been brought forward.