Ferry crossings between Malta and Gozo continued upward trend in 2018

The total number of people crossing between Malta and Gozo by sea during 2018 stood at 5,758,318, and increase of 374,478 or 7%, according to data published on Tuesday by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

A similar increase was registered in the number of vehicles crossings, which increased from 1,544,022 in 2017 to 1,659,902 in 2018 – a 7.5% increase. The increase in demand meant that Gozo Channel was required to operate 1,090 more trips over the previous year to reach of a total of 23,619 for the year.

The NSO found that sea transport between Malta and Gozo increased every month, with the exception of February, which registered a drop in ferry trips as well as passenger and vehicle crossings.

The largest increase was registered in December, with 12.6% more passengers and 14.7% more vehicles making the trip between Malta and Gozo. The majority of passengers crossing between the two island did so at the weekend, with Sunday being the most popular day, followed by Saturday.

Transport between the two islands has continued to increase in recent years, having stood at just over 4 million in 2012.