Your commute between the two islands has just gotten a bit faster…

Virtu Ferries has just announced the purchase of a brand spanking new high-speed ferry for the Mgarr, Gozo to Valletta, Malta route – a €7 million investment indicating the company’s commitment to the Gozo route.

The HSC ‘Gozo Express’ will be registered under the Malta flag and was designed by the Australian high-speed ferry designers Incat Crowther.

Virtu’s new ferry has an overall length of 42.2 metres, a carrying capacity of 322 passengers in airconditioned lounges on two decks, and outside seating for 40 passengers on the upper deck.

Powered by four MTU 12V2000 M72 engines and four Rolls Royce water jets, the ‘Gozo Express’ is capable of a maximum speed of more than 38 knots and a service speed of 35 knots.

The new ferry completed sea trials in December 2021 and is set 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.

Tag someone who commutes between the two islands regularly!