Cruise ships set to berth off Xlendi

The impressive coastal cliffs of Ras il-Bajda are designated as an area of ecological importance and an area of high landscape values.

Cruise ships would need tenders to ferry passengers to and from Xlendi bay
Cruise ships would need tenders to ferry passengers to and from Xlendi bay

Transport Malta is proposing a mooring buoy, located approximately 1.5 kilometres off the picturesque Ras il-Bajda point at Xlendi.

A Transport Malta spokesperson confirmed that the buoy is intended for the mooring of “small cruise ships” during fair weather and sea conditions. The buoy will be tied with a chain to a sinker in the seabed.

The ships would use their own tenders to ferry passengers to and from Xlendi bay.  

The application is for the installation of the buoy. The refurbishment of the landing place within the bay is also part of the project.

The impressive coastal cliffs of Ras il-Bajda are designated as an area of ecological importance and an area of high landscape values.

In November 2013 the government issued an international call for expressions of interest for the cruise liner terminal in Gozo which would attract larger cruise ships. Only one proposal was made, by Kalamarine Ltd, which proposed a residential development, a yacht marina and a cruise terminal in a quarry in Qala.