Sea transport between Malta and Gozo remained a vital and increasingly busy mode of travel during the second quarter of 2025, as nearly two million passengers were carried across various routes between April and June. According to a report by the National Statistics Office (NSO) a total of 11,642 trips were conducted across all sea transport services, with June emerging as the busiest month, accounting for 34.1% of all crossings.
The Mġarr-Ċirkewwa route, which continues to serve as the primary ferry link between the two islands, transported 1,591,820 passengers – a 3.5% increase compared to the same quarter in 2024. While passenger traffic rose, the number of trips slightly declined by 0.4%, totalling 8,925 crossings. Despite this, vehicle transport increased by 3.9%, reaching 548,423 vehicles, indicating a higher density of traffic per trip.
April saw the largest passenger volumes, with 549,469 commuters (34.5% of the quarterly total), likely reflecting seasonal travel around Easter and early summer holidays. Notably, passenger travel peaked on weekends, particularly Saturdays and Sundays when departing from Gozo, and Fridays and Saturdays when departing from Malta. Vehicle traffic also followed a weekly rhythm, peaking from Mġarr on Sundays and Mondays, and from Ċirkewwa on Fridays and Saturdays.
Meanwhile, the fast ferry service between Mġarr and Valletta has seen significant year-on-year growth. Between April and June 2025, 2,717 trips were carried out – up by 15.3% – and 335,770 passengers were transported, marking an impressive 32.7% increase over the same quarter in 2024. May recorded the highest activity, with 965 trips and 117,819 passengers, confirming the growing popularity of this direct link between the capital and Gozo.
The figures point to a steadily rising reliance on maritime transport, not just for tourism but also for everyday commuting and inter-island mobility. While increased passenger numbers suggest robust demand and improved connectivity, the slight decline in ferry frequency on the main route may indicate capacity constraints or operational adjustments.
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