Virtu's new catamaran launched

Ronald Galea

Apr 30th 2010, 18:53

@ David Aquilina

That's why we all said IVA, in the referendum. Free movement of goods jghidulha dik hi!!

Jesmond Micallef

Apr 30th 2010, 17:53

Indeed a massive and very substantial investment on behalf of Virtu Ferries. It further promotes the vital sealink with continental europe. I guess it's also fast and would be interesting to know what top speed this vessel can reach, apart from maybe some more technical details such as its prime mover, diesel engine or gas turbine, water jet or screw propulsion??

Well done to Virtu Ferries. Another flagship on the Maltese Maritime register !

Ms G Hoare

Apr 30th 2010, 17:37

well to some its good news and bad news to others,
David Aquilina sorry my mate but you know what they say ;
IF YOU CANNOT BEAT THEM JOIN THEM .aLOT OF US Maltese wants to be rich quick or better a millionair over night ,when i go to shops and see how much the common Maltese is being ripped off when it comes to electrical items such as household white goods i wouldnt think twice to go to Scily and bring all the stuff i need and even with the cost of going over and the hire of the van you still come out laughing as it would be cheaper ,If anybody wants good stuff they should buy Maltese furniture made in Malta but if they want an Italian Kitchen from a shop in Malta it can cost you 6500 euro yet you can pick up the same kitchen from Sicily
2900 euro , how about that for a bargain 3000 euro over priced , i say well done to all who makes it across , Support Maltese Products if you can

Roderick Spiteri

Apr 30th 2010, 16:30

@ David Aquilina...

No long story at all.
In case you have not noticed, Malta is in the EU... as is Sicily.

Anyone can buy from the EU without paying Duty or even declaring anything when getting them to Malta. If companies in Malta charge sky-high prices for their products, of course people will go to Sicily to buy stuff which is cheaper... and most of the times much better quality.

Personally, i bought a whole container full of interior furniture, appliances, showers, even tiles... from Poland... for our apartment, and we saved THOUSANDS of Euros!

john Micallef

Apr 30th 2010, 16:09

@ David Scicluna. Parallel imports mean greater challenge. Im a small busniuss man & i had to accept this new challenge. About the VAT / Duty issue sorry you are mistaken on this, FYI as soon a product has come from Italy it has already obtained the free circulation with in the EU, thus no any local VAT/Duty has to be paid. You forgot to mention that at the end only the consumer benefit from such parallel trading, & the big distributors has to adopt their prices & expenses, not making lots of money out of the consumers!

Joseph Micallef

Apr 30th 2010, 16:01

@ David Aquilina

Please note that the Maltese voted in favour in a referendum and in a general election in order to join the European Union. Besides the benefits of a single market, the EU includes free movement of goods, services, labour and capital. With all due respect, even a secondary student knows such basic facts!

C. E Taliana

Apr 30th 2010, 16:00

Impressive vessel. This is a very encouraging sign by Virtu'.

D.Buttigieg

Apr 30th 2010, 15:38

no vat, no eco contribution no Exise duty . Some buisness man are rubbing thier hands with this new service. Whilst stabilised importers that employ hundreds of poeple have to go thru every beurocratic procedure and tax that every goverment depatment can throw at them.That is what I call unfair trading.

David Aquilina

Apr 30th 2010, 15:20

I've seen that this new vessel can accomodate 342 truck lanes. Well and good. This will mean more parallel imports from Sicily. Will also mean less revenue for the government (undeclared stuff i.e detergents etc) and loss of work from Maltese Companies, those who have to declare everything, pay VAT etc etc etc.
I just hope that the gov keeps an eye on what is being imported to Malta from Sicily. I see truck loads coming out of the catamaran, however there is no one from the customs asking for invoices to those who import stuff........ a long story !!

John Micallef

Apr 30th 2010, 14:51

amazing how Gozo channel manage to loose money GONZIPN in front of this considerable investments by this privatley owned company!! That for sure it's making money

D ATTARD

Apr 30th 2010, 14:27

BOOK ME