Gozo Channel is 30

Gozo Channel embarked on its 30th year of operations today ready to face challenges that would be presenting themselves this year when its service will be open to competition.

The company, which celebrated by allowing passengers to cross between the two islands free of charge and providing live entertainment, kept the vessel Ta’ Pino berthed at Mġarr and allowed the public to roam its bridge and engine rooms.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech, accompanied by Mrs Fenech and their children, crossed over to Mġarr from Ċirkewwa on the Malita, where he could see the captain in action piloting the vessel.

He said that Gozo Channel must be open to the reality of competition and pointed out that its management had issued internal directives to maximise competiveness and efficiency with the aim of ensuring that the company would keep providing the ferry service.

Once in Mġarr, Mr Fenech and his family were given a tour of Ta’ Pinu, the first of the new boats built purposely for Gozo Channel.

He said that security, competitiveness and customer satisfaction had contributed towards the company’s success since its inception 30 years ago.