Transport Malta has signed an eight-year contract with Marsamxetto Steamferry Services to provide scheduled ferry services linking Valletta to Sliema and Cottonera.

Services will be operated simultaneously in both harbours: that in Marsamxett will start immediately while the Grand Harbour service will start once the Barrakka lift is in operation, expected by the end of the year.

The operator is obliged to run the service all year, with departures operating at a maximum interval of 30 minutes from each landing place. The winter schedule will be Monday to Saturday from 7am till 6pm and 10am till 4pm on Sundays and public holidays.

In the summer, the ferries will run Monday to Saturday from 7am till 7pm and 9am till 6pm on Sundays and public holidays.

The maximum fares that can be charged are €1.50 for an adult one way or €2.80 for a return ticket. There is also a weekly pass costing €10 and special rates for children, the elderly and the disabled.

Tariffs can only increase once every three years. The operator will enjoy exclusive use of strategic landing places and will contribute €300,000 of its revenue, over the whole period, to the regulator.