During the first quarter of 2026, sea transport between Malta and Gozo registered decreases in trips, vehicles and passengers, when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2025.
Data published by the National Statistics Office shows that between January and March 2026, a total of 9,579 trips were carried out, carrying a total of 1,511,708 passengers. March was the busiest month recording a total of 3,678 trips or 38.4 per cent of total trips for the quarter.
A total of 1,321,358 passengers travelled between Mġarr and Ċirkewwa during the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 0.5 per cent when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2025.
The highest number of passengers, 517,824 or 39.2 per cent of the total for the quarter, was recorded in March. When compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year, the number of vehicles decreased by 5.8 per cent, totalling 445,351.
The number of trips during the first quarter amounted to 7,743, a decrease of 5.7 per cent over the same period in 2025. March registered the highest number of trips, 2,956 or 38.2 per cent of total trips for the quarter.
During the first quarter, vehicle traffic originating from the Mġarr terminal was highest on Sundays and Mondays, while passenger traffic was busiest on Sundays and Saturdays. On the other hand, both vehicle and passenger traffic originating from Ċirkewwa were busiest on Fridays and Saturdays.
During the first quarter of 2026, a total of 1,836 trips were carried out, carrying a total of 190,350 passengers. When compared to the same quarter in 2025, the number of trips decreased by 20.6 per cent and the number of passengers decreased by 11.4 per cent.
March registered the highest number of trips – 722 or 39.3 per cent of total trips for the quarter, and the same month had the highest number of passengers – 86,121 or 45.2 per cent of the total for the quarter.
