Comino Ferries Coop welcomes the ruling by the Public Contracts Review Board confirming the validity of the tender for the Malta-Comino ferry service and “looks forward to providing the public with a much-improved service in the very near future,” the company said.

A spokesman for Comino Ferries Coop said:

“The Coop notes the board’s dismay at the appellants’ claim that they were prejudiced due to a lack of knowledge of the Request for Proposals and conclusion that this claim was not founded in fact.

“We were the sole bidders for two Comino ferry routes that will operate specially-designed eco ferries and our hybrid vessels will be better equipped to operate this route in a more professional manner, as well as significantly reducing ferry traffic and emissions around Comino – meaning zero emissions and zero noise around the bay areas – and with reduced drag to minimise wake.”

“Contrary to the appellants’ claims, our exclusivity is restricted to departures from Marfa and Cirkewwa, while pick-ups for the purposes of pleasure, fishing or diving are not affected.

“Our new, fully air-conditioned vessels will be equipped with waste handling facilities, baggage stowage, WiFi and be fully accessible to people with disabilities. Meanwhile, external seating will be covered to provide protection from sunlight.

Clyde Muscat, Blue Lagoon Ferry Co-op Ltd, Lawrence Azzopardi and Ian Azzopardi had filed an appeal to the Board following a receipt of notice from Transport Malta that all other current operators would not be authorised to provide passenger ferry services on the route, effectively giving permission of the service from the North of Malta to Comino to only one operator.