A Grand Harbour ferry service between Valletta and the Three Cities will run until 2am on Saturday to serve visitors to Vittoriosa's Birgufest, Valletta Ferry Services said today. 

The final ferry will leave Valletta at 2am on the morning of Sunday October 15. Usually, the ferry service runs until midnight.

The decision to run an extended service comes just days after boatsmen ferrying people on smaller traditional boats blockaded the ferry's Lascasris Wharf quay, in protest at what they said was unfair competition by their larger rival.

WATCH: Boatsmen blockade Grand Harbour ferry

Timed to coincide with Notte Bianca, the impromptu protest threatened to capsize Valletta Ferry Services' plans for the night before authorities intervened and convinced boatsmen to call off the blockade.

Two ships will run an extended service, just days after boatsmen blockaded a quay during Notte Bianca. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Boatsmen are irked by Valletta Ferry Service's decision to operate two vessels on the Valletta - Cospicua route at the same time.

When contacted, a spokesman for Valletta Ferry Services said that they were hoping last weekend's events did not repeat themselves come Saturday.

"That matter is being handled by Transport Malta and the police," they said. "We'll be running two ferries this coming Saturday too, and we hope the service will go off without a hitch."

Police are understood to be investigating boatsmen involved in the blockade.