Catamaran collision in Sicily causes problems for commuters, freight services

The Virtu catamaran collision has left commuters and businessmen fuming after the M/V Jean de la Valette was forced out of service after colliding with its berthing place in Sicily.

Virtu Ferries confirmed that M/V SAN GWANN has temporarily substituted the de la Valette ferry on the company’s Malta-Sicily-Malta route.  It is anticipated that repairs on the catamaran will be completed within a week.

Apologising for the inconvenience caused, the Virtu Ferries said it would keep the general public informed by means of press updates and the company’s website.

But the temporary suspension of the catamaran’s service resulted in some 35 cars being stuck in Sicily. One commuter said their car would be stuck in Sicily until 16 August. Virtu Ferries however has offered refunds to customers who had bought tickets for the coming days and also arranged for the 35 drivers stuck in Pozzallo to garage their vehicles in a car park close by.

But Maltese making use of the service for cargo delivery are up in arms after Grimaldi also suspended its services almost for a week, for Ferragosto. Grimaldi, usually operation on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, will arrive in Malta on Monday morning and then on Friday morning.