Cruise liner berth for Gozo under study

The viability of constructing a berth for cruise liners outside the Mgarr breakwater in Gozo is being explored and a study should be ready by the end of the year.

Communications Minister Censu Galea told The Times a technical analysis was also underway to determine the berth's impact on the seabed.

The Gozitans have long been feeling like the Cinderella of cruise liner business and the subject was raised again when seven cruise ships entered the Grand Harbour on Friday, bringing over 8,000 tourists.

Tour operator Norman Hamilton, managing director of Hamilton Travel, broached the issue during a recent seminar and questioned why nobody had thought of berthing at least one ship in Gozo.

Contacted yesterday, Mr Hamilton said Friday's situation was expected to be repeated later this month and in such cases berthing in Gozo could alleviate the congestion at the Grand Harbour.

He appealed to the authorities to start considering Gozo as a cruise ship port of call and to create the necessary infrastructure.

He said MSC Cruises, the company he represents, would be prepared to consider Gozo as a destination if the necessary infrastructure was there. Gozo Tourism Association secretary Joe Muscat said the cruise liner industry was one sector Gozo was not able to share in.

"We don't have the facilities for big ships to berth here, but I am sure we can find the ways and means. If cruise passengers can get a taste of Gozo, I'm sure it would be instrumental in garnering repeat customers," he said.

The first time a big cruise liner berthed in Gozo was last April, when the Seabourn Pride stopped off Xlendi and passengers were ferried ashore on a boat.

However, Mr Muscat said the liner had problems berthing and the swell caused those who remained on board to become seasick.

"As a result the second visit never took place," he added.

Asked if Gozo was equipped to handle a heavy influx of visitors if cruise liners did start berthing there, Mr Muscat said at the moment the island handled an average of 2,500 day trippers, so there should not be a problem to handle a bigger influx.

Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said he would highly encourage liner companies to include Gozo in their itineraries so that the island could share in Malta's cake.

Mr Galea said an application to construct a berth on the seaward side of the Mgarr harbour was submitted by the Malta Maritime Authority back in 2003 and as a result the two studies were being carried out.

Mr Galea said they would have to wait for the two studies to be completed to get a clearer picture of the situation.