Number of passengers, vehicles to Gozo up in spite of decrease in trips – NSO

During the fourth quarter of 2022, sea transport between Malta and Gozo registered increases in passengers and vehicles and a decrease in trips when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2021, the NSO said Tuesday.

Sea transport between Malta and Gozo Between October and December 2022, a total of 9,566 trips were carried out, carrying a total of 1,397,409 passengers. October was the busiest month recording a total of 3,325 trips or 34.8 per cent of total trips for the quarter.

Sea transport between Mġarr and Ċirkewwa

A total of 1,314,039 passengers travelled between Mġarr and Ċirkewwa during the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of 23.2 per cent when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2021. The highest number of passengers was recorded in October totalling 508,840 or 38.7 per cent of the total for the quarter.

When compared to the previous year, the number of vehicles increased by 12.9 per cent, totalling 485,191. The number of trips during the fourth quarter amounted to 8,886, an increase of 4.8 per cent over the same period in 2021. October registered the highest number of trips totalling 3,074 or 34.6 per cent of total trips for the quarter.

During January-December 2022, both passenger and vehicle traffic originating from Ċirkewwa was busiest on Fridays and Saturdays. On the other hand, from the Mġarr terminal, passenger traffic was highest on Sundays and Saturdays, while the highest number of vehicles were recorded on Sundays and Mondays.

Sea transport between Mġarr and Valletta

During the fourth quarter of 2022, a total of 680 trips were carried out carrying a total of 83,370 passengers. When compared to same quarter in 2021, the number of trips and passengers decreased by 75.1 and 29.8 per cent respectively.

December registered the highest number of trips, 258 or 37.9 per cent of total trips for the quarter, while October recorded the highest number of passengers, 36,926 or 44.3 per cent for the quarter. Annual perspective Including both the Gozo Channel ferry service and the fast ferry service, during 2022, the number of trips went up by 2,286 or 5.9 per cent, when compared to 2021.

Vehicle movements between the islands increased by 233,186 or 13.5 per cent, over the previous year, while the number of passengers went up by 1,243,112 or 27.9 per cent. During 2022, July recorded the highest number of trips totalling 3,892, while August recorded the highest number of passengers and vehicles, with 634,335 and 198,795 respectively.