A European call for tenders for the provision of a maritime transport service for passengers, vehicles and merchandise between Malta and Gozo is being issued today.

The government said in a statement that the call was in line with the European Union Maritime Cabotage Regulation.

At the government’s request, the European Commission accepted that the service between Mgarr and Cirkewwa would be given exclusively by one operator, following a call for tenders open to European ship operators. This request was accepted because of the size of the ports’, particularly that at Mgarr.

This would ensure continuity of service, which had to be strictly in line with regulations to ensure the best interest for consumers, especially those who depended on it.

Workers who were to come in contact with passengers in case of an emergency, had to be able to speak good Maltese and English.

The service, the government said, would continue to be given at the current frequency. Frequency and routes would be those agreed upon and the fares would be those established by law. Fares would only be increased once a request submitted to the regulator is accepted.

The operator would be compensated for the losses made through lower fares to holders of Kartanzjan and Gozo residents, which will remain in effect.

The service given has to be in line with regulations and of the highest quality. It could be suspended or stopped only following an agreement between the government and the operator.

The selected bidder would have to take on current workers, who would thus not lose their jobs.

The call closes on April 1 at 10 a.m.

Applications may be collected from the Transport Ministry at Palazzo Verdelin, 111, Archbishop Street, Valletta, VLT1444.