Updated 5.40pm - Added Virtu Ferries comments

Catamaran ferry services between Malta and Sicily will not run until Saturday December 16, Virtu Ferries have said. 

Services have been cancelled due to a "technical problem" with its Jean de la Valette catamaran, the company said on its website. 

"All passengers booked are kindly requested to keep contact with our offices on 22069022 or wait for further updates that will be published on our website," the statement added. 

The catamaran was forced to cut its crossing to Sicily short on Tuesday morning, with passengers told the vessel would be returning to Malta due to technical difficulties.  

Passengers were told that engineers would inspect the vessel with a view of returning it to service. 

The breakdown however turned out to be more complex than first expected, with engineers discovering engine damage that would take days to fix. 

'Unfortunate setback'

A company spokesman told Times of Malta that passengers affected by the service interruption would have it made up to them. 

"We care a great deal about our customers and urge anyone affected to get in touch with us," they said. 

"This is an unfortunate setback, but when you consider that we run more than 900 trips every year, the percentage of legs cancelled is extremely low," they added. 

The breakdown was further vindication for the company's decision to invest €75 million in a new catamaran, the spokesperson said.

The new vessel is being built in Tasmania and expected to be operational in a year's time. 

"Having two vessels serving the Malta - Pozzallo route will help us weather such situations," the spokesperson said. 

The service cancellations, beginning on the eve of Republic Day and running for four days just weeks before Christmas, come at an unfortunate time for the company and its clients.  

It has been a miserable week for travellers, with people flying to or from the UK and several European airports facing cancellations or long delays, because of snow and strong wind.