{"id":50072,"date":"2025-07-03T08:10:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T07:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/?p=50072"},"modified":"2025-07-03T08:10:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T07:10:14","slug":"prime-minister-robert-abela-inaugurates-the-bugibba-breakwater-and-ferry-facilities-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/03\/prime-minister-robert-abela-inaugurates-the-bugibba-breakwater-and-ferry-facilities-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Prime Minister Robert Abela inaugurates the Bu\u0121ibba Breakwater and Ferry Facilities Project"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><em>Prime Minister Robert Abela inaugurates the Bu\u0121ibba Breakwater and Ferry Facilities Project<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Tender to be issued for ferry service linking Sliema to Gozo with a stopover in Bu\u0121ibba \u2013 free ferry service between Bu\u0121ibba and Sliema<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Prime Minister Robert Abela inaugurated the breakwater and ferry landing project in Bu\u0121ibba. Prime Minister Abela reaffirmed the government\u2019s commitment to strengthening domestic sea transport. He announced that a call for proposals will be issued for private operators to manage a new sea transport service connecting Sliema, Bu\u0121ibba, and Gozo. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency and uptake of sea transport, not only along the main channel and routes to the main ports, but also across other key coastal areas. The Prime Minister added that the use of this service will be further encouraged through a number of free routes, including the one between Bu\u0121ibba and Sliema.<\/p>\n<p>With an investment of nearly \u20ac14 million, partly financed through European funds, Infrastructure Malta has successfully completed the construction of a new breakwater in Bu\u0121ibba on schedule. Stretching 180 metres in length, the breakwater is designed to reduce the impact of waves within the bay and provide enhanced protection for the mooring of fishing boats and small vessels. Along with the main breakwater, a 36-metre-long secondary arm was constructed to provide enhanced shelter and safer mooring during adverse weather conditions together with a terminal equipped with sheltered waiting areas and other facilities which serve the needs of passengers travelling by sea.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201e.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-50074 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201e-300x208.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"208\" srcset=\"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201e-300x208.jpg 300w, http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201e-150x104.jpg 150w, http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201e.jpg 432w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Prime Minister mentioned that this year, expenditure on capital investment projects is expected to exceed \u20ac1 billion. This is double the amount spent under the previous administration. This level of infrastructural investment is the result of the government\u2019s efforts to further strengthen and grow a dynamic and resilient economy, as well as its success in securing a substantial package of European funds. These funds are, among others, being channelled into infrastructure projects that deliver tangible value and improved quality of life for citizens.<\/p>\n<p>Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works, Chris Bonett, explained how the new Bu\u0121ibba breakwater and ferry landing represent another step forward in the Government\u2019s vision for sea transport. He noted that the unprecedented investment in this sector over recent years has led to record increases in the number of Maltese passengers using sea transport services. The Bu\u0121ibba terminal will support a new fast ferry service operating between Tas-Sliema and M\u0121arr, Gozo. Minister Bonett added that the sea transport service will be integrated with land transport to create a truly multi-modal transport system for the country. \u201cWith the potential offered by this alternative means of transport, today we\u2019ve reached an important milestone that will make daily life easier for many Maltese and Gozitans. In the years to come, sea transport will reach the next level, because the greater the challenge, the greater the opportunity\u201d, concluded Minister Bonett.<\/p>\n<p>Minister for European Funds and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, explained that this project is part of a broader initiative called SMITHS, through which significant investments are being made across Malta and Gozo for eco-friendly transport and alternative means of travel by sea and land. He stated that the Bu\u0121ibba project is part of this vision, which, through substantial investment from European funds, is providing the public with new and practical travel options. \u201cWith the help of EU funds, we are building more sustainable and efficient alternatives to traditional transport, options that not only ease traffic on land but also offer better and more sustainable connections for Malta\u2019s northern region\u201d, Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_50072\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"50072\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prime Minister Robert Abela inaugurates the Bu\u0121ibba Breakwater and Ferry Facilities Project\u00a0 Tender to be issued for ferry service linking Sliema to Gozo with a stopover in Bu\u0121ibba \u2013 free ferry service between Bu\u0121ibba and Sliema Prime Minister Robert Abela inaugurated the breakwater and ferry landing project in Bu\u0121ibba. Prime Minister Abela reaffirmed the government\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_50072\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"50072\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":50073,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-50072","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-local-news"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",508,300,false],"thumbnail":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a-150x89.jpg",150,89,true],"medium":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a-300x177.jpg",300,177,true],"medium_large":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",508,300,false],"large":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",508,300,false],"1536x1536":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",508,300,false],"2048x2048":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",508,300,false],"td_0x420":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",508,300,false],"td_80x60":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",80,47,false],"td_218x150":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",218,129,false],"td_324x400":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",324,191,false],"td_696x0":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",508,300,false],"td_1068x0":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",508,300,false],"td_100x70":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",100,59,false],"td_265x198":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",265,156,false],"td_324x160":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",271,160,false],"td_324x235":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",324,191,false],"td_356x220":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",356,210,false],"td_356x364":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",356,210,false],"td_533x261":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",442,261,false],"td_534x462":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",508,300,false],"td_696x385":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",508,300,false],"td_741x486":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",508,300,false],"td_1068x580":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pr251201a.jpg",508,300,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Bernard Lynch","author_link":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/author\/bernardlynch\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Prime Minister Robert Abela inaugurates the Bu\u0121ibba Breakwater and Ferry Facilities Project\u00a0 Tender to be issued for ferry service linking Sliema to Gozo with a stopover in Bu\u0121ibba \u2013 free ferry service between Bu\u0121ibba and Sliema Prime Minister Robert Abela inaugurated the breakwater and ferry landing project in Bu\u0121ibba. Prime Minister Abela reaffirmed the government\u2019s&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50072","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50072"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50072\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50075,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50072\/revisions\/50075"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50073"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50072"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50072"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50072"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}