During the fourth quarter of 2024, sea transport between Malta and Gozo registered increases in trips, vehicles and passengers, when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2023, the NSO said.
Sea transport between Malta and Gozo
Between October and December 2024, a total of 11,463 trips were carried out, carrying a total of 1,655,197 passengers. October was the busiest month recording a total of 3,949 trips or 34.5% of total trips for the quarter.
Sea transport between Mġarr and Ċirkewwa
A total of 1,406,265 passengers travelled between Mġarr and Ċirkewwa during the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of 2.4% when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2023. The highest number of passengers was recorded in October – 519,888 or 37% of the total for the quarter. When compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year, the number of vehicles increased by 1.3%, totalling 507,089.
The number of trips during the fourth quarter amounted to 9,059, an increase of 6.4% over the same period in 2023. October registered the highest number of trips – 3,083 or 34% of total trips for the quarter.
During January-December 2024, passenger traffic from the Mġarr terminal was busiest on Sundays and Saturdays, while vehicle traffic was highest on Sundays and Mondays. On the other hand, passenger and vehicle traffic originating from Ċirkewwa was busiest on Fridays and Saturdays.
Sea transport between Mġarr and Valletta
During the fourth quarter of 2024, a total of 2,404 trips were carried out carrying a total of 248,932 passengers. When compared to same quarter in 2023, the number of trips increased by 43.8% and the number of passengers increased by 44.6%. October registered the highest number of trips – 866 or 36% of total trips for the quarter and the highest number of passengers – 111,503 or 44.8% for the quarter.
Annual Perspective
Including both the Gozo Channel ferry service and the fast ferry service, during 2024, the number of trips went up by 2,428 or 5.8%, when compared to 2023. Vehicle movements between the islands increased by 47,314 or 2.3%, over the previous year, while the number of passengers went up by 296,596 or 4.5%. During 2024, August recorded the highest number of trips totalling 4,099, and also the highest number of vehicles and passengers, with 205,246 and 698,310 respectively.
