Last Updated on Thursday, 13 January, 2022 at 1:32 pm by Andre Camilleri
Virtu Ferries has announced the purchase of a new High Speed Ferry for the Mgarr, Gozo to Valletta, Malta route.
This €7 million investment indicates Virtu’s commitment to the Gozo route, the company said.
The HSC “Gozo Express”, will be registered under the Malta flag and was designed by the Australian high speed ferry designers Incat Crowther.
The “Gozo Express” has an overall length of 42.2 meters, with a carrying capacity of 322 passengers, in airconditioned lounges on two decks and outside seating for 40 passengers on the upper deck.
The company said that the vessel is powered by four MTU 12V2000 M72 engines and four Rolls Royce water jets and is capable of a maximum speed of more than 38 knots, and a service speed of 35 knots.
It successfully completed sea trials in December 2021 and is expected to be delivered to Virtu Ferries by mid-March 2022.
Virtu’s “Gozo Express” will replace the SES “San Pawl” and will operate alongside the SES “San Frangisk”. The SES “San Pawl” will be redeployed on the company’s Venice to Croatia route under the banner of Venezia Lines.
