Austal Launches Ferry for Malta

The Jean de la Valette will operate between Malta and Italy for Virtu Ferries. The 107 metre catamaran has the capacity to carry 800 passengers and 156 cars at a speed of approximately 39 knots powered by four MTU engines. In August it is scheduled to join Virtu Ferries’ existing 68 metre Austal vehicle ferry Maria Dolores. Managing Director Francis Portelli said the company was impressed with the speed of construction and quality of workmanship.

Virtu Ferries have been operating high speed ferries between Malta and Sicily since 1988. Venezia Lines, a wholly owned subsidiary of Virtu Ferries, has run a six month seasonal service between Venice and eight Adriatic ports in Slovenia and Croatia since 2001. Two high speed passenger ferries are deployed on this service, with a third to be introduced this year. Another high speed vehicle-passenger ferry operates between Bari (Italy) and Durres in Albania.

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