Virtu Ferries' new catamaran on schedule
The super high speed catamaran being built for Virtu Ferries, the operators of the Malata-Sicily high speed car/passenger ferry service, by Austal Ships, Henderson, Western Australia, is in its final stages and on schedule for delivery to owners.
The Jean de la Valette, one of the largest catamarans in the world, will be the largest high speed Catamaran operating in the Mediterranean.
The vessel's four engines generate 36,400 kw giving a cruising speed of 39 knots.
Like the current vessel on the Malta-Sicily route, the Maria Dolores, it will make the crossing to Pozzallo in 90 minutes and to Catania in three hours.
With a tunnel height of more than four metres at full deadweight of 850 tonnes, the Jean de la Valette is an all-weather vessel that will provide a daily all-year round link between Malta and Sicily, further promoting commerical, cultural and inter-community activities.
The latest cutting-edge technology has been employed to ensure passenger comfort even in adverse weather conditions.
In the case of the Jean de la Valette, the Austal Ride Control System for passenger comfort makes use of two 10 square metre "T" foils, the largest fitted in a vessel of this kind.
Jean de la Valette will carry 800 passengers in separate lounges and will have additional outside on deck seating for 120 passengers in both club class and economy.
This feature, like many others, has been incorporated as a result of passenger requests.
The garage will carry 156 cars or 65 cars and 14 trailers.
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mario aquilina
Aug 13th 2010, 21:39
A few years ago, on the inauguration/open day of Maria Dolores, we where told that this catamaran was going to be used on the Malta to Reggio Calabria route.
It never happened. All we got then was silly excuses, that the berthing place was not ready. Rome wasn't built in one day, I know.
How about doing a Reggio Calabria route now that the fleet is getting bigger, or go a bit further towards Naples or Bari, giving us Maltese, a better opportunity to spread our wings, to travel further north away from the untidiness of Sicily.
Patrick Sciberras
Aug 13th 2010, 19:53
I think Virtu should consider introducing cheaper tickets,at least for frequent non commercial travellers. This way, in the long run, the companywill end up getting more income not less.
r ferriggi
Aug 13th 2010, 15:10
some points:
1. virtu is not a monopoly. any player can compete!! right??
2. i agree that prices should be lowered. they are too steep.
3. very good suggestion to do say a weekly trip to panteleria and lampedusa!!!!
4. bikers and bikes shoud be given a better deal!!!
mario aquilina
Aug 13th 2010, 14:26
Virtu Ferries too expensive.
In the last three months I crossed from Dover UK to Dunkerque France for 19 GBP and from Palermo Sicily to Malta for 122 Euros. That's for a 4.7 meter car and two persons.
Virtu Ferries crossing from Catania to Malta was around 280 Euros. Yes you might say but it is quicker, and I'll agree, but the difference in price is too big. Money talks.
C.Debattista
Aug 13th 2010, 14:06
Before mentioning the prices that Virtu charge ...does anyone knows the expenses that there are to anchor? that means that the net price they charge doesnt go all in their pockets. when I travelled with Virtu I always got an excellent service and a helpful staff.. and the journey was always pleasant. Sometimes I travelled with Grimaldi and I won't go anymore cause first of all there was lack of organisation from where to board and the trip was a disaster... and we should be proud that in Malta we are going to have one of the largest catamaran in the world to provide us with their service....nowdays everywhere the prices are getting higher not just the catamaran. AT least I always got for what I paid.
J Mallia
Aug 13th 2010, 13:09
1 way to Pozzallo for 1 passenger and a motorcycle Euro 229.00............same fare but to Genova ( 26 hour trip ) with cabin included ....Euro 168.00 That's what Monopoly does :(
E. Abela
Aug 13th 2010, 12:57
Good news re the catamaran. I suppose they are aiming at starting in September as was originally advise. I agree that Virtu should lower their prices so as to attract more passengers. Increasing fares only make people seek other cheaper means of travel. Also, pardon my ignorance, if it is super high speed then why does the journeyto Pozzallo and Catania last as long as when using the previous catamaran ?
A Fabri
Aug 13th 2010, 12:47
at Richard Sammut.....very good point!!!
Also I would like to add some one off Summer trips to Pantelleria, Lampedusa or Siracusa....very beautiful places indeed.
Tyrone Demanuele
Aug 13th 2010, 11:27
Sorry to dissapoint you all, but Virtu has recently INCREASED prices. A car of 4.5mtrs or less is nor Eur108.
Shame.
Passenger prices have got up slightly as well.
R. Azzopardi
Aug 13th 2010, 12:03
Try travelling with a commercial vehicle. In March i paid EUR 247 for a short wheel base Land Rover!
Albert E. Falzon
Aug 13th 2010, 12:19
Dear Friend the car prices you are complaining about are the same amount of money that used to be charged by Tirrennia atound 1975/ 1980. If I were you do not goif you do not intend to pay, end of story.
Richard Sammut
Aug 13th 2010, 11:11
I hope that this new vessel will be used to go further than just Sicily...
There are potential markets - Genova, Barcelona, Tunisia...
W.Ellul
Aug 13th 2010, 12:45
Will you stay on a same seat for a 20hr voyage to Barcellona? 10hr to Genoa? or 6 hrs to Tunisia? You`ll be lucky if you find good weather cause if not you`ll have to stay those long hours near a sea-sick person. Not to mention the price per voyage!! Just for pozzallo and Catania the price is already over 100 euros just imagine to Barcellona, will it be 500 euros? Not to mention that if you take the Ryanair to Barcellona it will be alot cheap then going to Pozzallo/Catania with the ferry.
J Galea
Aug 13th 2010, 10:59
With a good price for my car i would rather go to Sicily for a day or two than to go to Gozo, since in Sicliy they treat me better than the nearby Island. The prices are so much expensive to Maltese. And thanks God my boyfriend is Gozitan image if not.
r ferriggi
Aug 13th 2010, 10:33
i am aware that business has to make financial sense.
but i strongly suggest to vistu management to:
1. invest in the malta gozo market.
2. reduce the fares to sicily further as they are on the expensive side.
3. give more incentive for bikers tobe able to enjoy sicily more.
all i can add is that virtu have 'saved' malta from isolation. credit to them as they beleived and invested heavily in their business. it is not only their business but also a HUGE service to the country.
the goverment should look at their model to enhance our lives.
3.
Noel Abela
Aug 13th 2010, 10:28
You are absolutely right Mr. Green...what a difference spending a Sunday cruising on decent roads, enjoying lovely scenery, clean air and helping yourself to a nice lunch in one of the many restaurants on the coast...completely the opposite of what we are used to on this overpopulated and polluted rock..Come on Virtu..are you ready to rise up to the challenge posed?
G.Debono
Aug 13th 2010, 11:09
@Noel Abela
Ref: "completely the opposite of what we are used to on this overpopulated and polluted rock."
You are free to leave this country and live where you feel that the place is not over populated, polluted and/or a rock. Rest assured none of us will miss you.
The fact that you remain defeats your own words. Should you leave we will still be over populated, but at least will have one less Maltese patriotic wise guy.
J Gambin
Aug 13th 2010, 10:20
I seemed to have missed the date- when the headline states on schedule - to be ready by when- this summer , this year next year ???
James Green
Aug 13th 2010, 09:52
I'm pretty sure that if Virtu offered cheap 'subject to load' day returns I'm pretty sure most of our 'Sunday drivers' wouldn't hesitate to sample the delights (read decent roads) of Sicily.
Bikers especially.
How about it Virtu?