The Government and Transport Malta are in a desperate last-ditch attempt to get a Xlendi buoy ready in time to host five to six calls by cruise liners by the end of the year – but the project has to be sent back to MEPA for a new permit.

Xlendi was meant to host around 15 calls this summer but the first vessel to use the buoy found that it needed to be adjusted – in fact, the vessel had to use its engines the whole time it was anchored there – hardly an ideal situation, especially since this was precisely why the buoy was put there in the first place.

It was subsequently found that the chain linking the buoy to the seabed was 50m too long, giving a longer swinging radius for the vessel, which meant it would have gone too close to shore for comfort. The anchoring point on the seabed also needs to be strengthened.

It is estimated that the work will cost around €100,000 – including certification and a maintenance contract (the original buoy’s budget was €165,000). However, the upgraded – or possibly new – buoy will be able to take larger ships, meaning more passengers and a greater boost to the Xlendi and Gozo economy. Sources said that the Government seems committed to getting it done, but the work requires the input of Transport Malta and there is still no indication as to when work might commence or how long it would take – as it now emerges that another MEPA permit will be required.

The Seabourn Pride, represented in Malta by Malta Cruise Services, was the first vessel to use Xlendi as a destination, back in 2006. However, it was unable to anchor in the 90m depths and actually drifted with its engines on while the passengers visited the island. The feedback was so positive that the cruise line started to lobby for a buoy which would allowed it to schedule regular calls.

It took two years for MEPA to issue a permit and two years more for the buoy to actually be laid down, by which time cruise lines had all but given up hope. Sources said that Seabourn is still very interested in Xlendi and very keen to reschedule this year’s visits.

The cruise industry earlier this week reported a drop of 33 per cent in the first six months of the year.