Local Shipping – Ferry CALYPSOLAND

One of the ferries that used to operate in the Gozo Channel, between Malta and Gozo was the 1932 Dutch built CALYPSOLAND. She was built at De Schelde in Vlissingen, Netherlands as the PRINS HENDRIK but a year later in 1933 she was modified due to instability problems by the same yard. In 1940 she […]
Weather Conditions – Storm Helios Damage at Grand Harbour – February 2023

During February 2023 Malta experienced STORM HELIOS which was set to hit the Maltese Islands late Wednesday 8th February as a depression that was located over Algeria moved across to Libya and made its way towards the central Mediterranean. From the early hours of Thursday until Thursday night, Force 7 Easterly winds where in force and […]
Yachting – 2017 built 110.01m yacht KAOS at Malta – September 2022

The largest yacht ever built at Oceanco and the largest yacht ever built in the Netherlands , KAOS was spotted in the Maltese Territorial Waters during the first days of September, 2022. She was built in 2017 to the Passenger Yacht Code standard, which added extra layers of requirements and complexity. She was built for Sheikh […]
Project Cargo – EEMSLIFT DAFNE with 2 High Speed Craft at Malta – 11.04.2022

On Monday 11th April, 2022 the 2014 built mpp vessel EEMSLIFT DAFNE entered Grand Harbour, Malta with interesting deck cargo of 2 High Speed Craft. She had the Incat Crowther 42 High Speed Craft GOZO EXPRESS for Virtu Ferries, Malta for Malta-Gozo-Malta route as the EXCELLENCE OF MAJESTIC. Another interesting vessel was the 2000 built Crew Transfer […]
Heavy Lift – TOPAZ ZEYA at Malta – March 2022

The 2018 built 123 metres long RUS flag deck cargo ship TOPAZ ZEYA was seen at OPL Malta on Tuesday 15th March, 2022 loaded with windfarm equipment. She was built at Vard Vung Tau, Vietnam with keel laid on 20th December, 2016 and completed on 22nd May 2018. Design was known as VARD 9 21 […]
Casualties – CHEM P salvage update – 22.04.2022

While the tanker CHEM P is Within Territorial Waters (WTW) of Malta awaiting various permissions to complete her voyage here are the latest movements – Sunday 17th April, 2022 On Easter Sunday she shifted back to waiting area from Bunkering Area 6. Monday 18th April, 2022 Various SITREP calls from VTS to CHEM P was […]
Virtu Ferries – MARIA DOLORES with His Holiness Pope Francis – 02.04.2022

On Saturday 2nd April, 2022 His Holiness Pope Francis during his Apostolic visit to Malta crossed to the sister island of Gozo by the High Speed Craft MARIA DOLORES. After leaving the Apostolic Nunciature, Rabat , Malta the entourage proceeded to DWQ 5 to board the Virtu Ferries High Speed Craft MARIA DOLORES to cross […]
State Visit – Pope Francis at Gozo – 02.04.2022

Malta welcomed His Holiness Pope Francis during his Apostolic visit to the country from Saturday 2nd April to Sunday 3rd April of which on Saturday 2nd April he visited the sister island of Gozo. The island of Gozo was wearing Holy Week dress and Vatican City Flags mounted on road roundabouts, balconies, roof flagpoles etc […]
Heavy Lift – TOPAZ KAMA at Malta – March 2022

The 2017 built 123 metres long RUS flag deck cargo ship TOPAZ KAMA was seen at OPL Malta on Tuesday 15th March, 2022 loaded with more than 25 wind turbine blades. Her keel was laid on 16th November, 2016 and completion of building at Vard Vung Tau, Vietnam as yard no 863 was back to […]
Virtu Ferries – MARIA DOLORES at Mgarr Harbour, Gozo – 22.03.2022.

Two years after the largest catamaran operating in the Mediterranean and the second largest in the world SAINT JOHN PAUL II entered Mgarr Harbour, Gozo last Monday 2nd March, 2020 it was the turn for the Austal built 68.4 metres long High Speed Craft MARIA DOLORES to enter Mgarr Harbour, preparations for the Pope Francis Apostolic Visit […]