RagusaXpress to commence trips to Ragusa in Spring, promises competitive prices
New service will bring injection of new tourist arrivals in both Sicily and Malta
by Paul Cocks
The new Maltese-owned fast ferry service RagusaXpress is expected to bring a new injection of tourism to both Malta and Ragusa when it commences operation in Spring this year.
And, when speaking to Business Today, company officials promised that ferry tickets would be offered at very competitive prices.
Presently the only catamaran service to Sicily is the one to and from Pozzallo offered by Virtu Ferries and the launch of Ragusa Xpress is bound to have an impact on the pricing of ferry tickets.
The 51-metre catamaran will carry 400 passengers and 20 cars or triple that number when it comes to motorbikes. The trip is expected to take around 1hr 45 mins and fares will be amongst the most competitive and attractive for ferry crossings to Sicily.
A previous attempt by another company – Ponte – to start a ferry service to Augusta in Sicily failed in 2023 after several judicial interventions by Virtu’ and difficulties with port authorities there.
RagusaXpress patrons will be able to also take advantage of free parking in a secure location in the Porto di Ragusa apart from making use of well-priced rental facilities.
The new ferry service to Ragusa became possible after a group of Maltese investors, led by Paul Gauci of PAMA and PAVI fame, took over ownership of the marina and the port area.
The medium-sized catamaran that will be used on the Marina di Ragusa/Valletta link was built in 2001 and originally christened HSC San Giorgio, after the patron saint of Ragusa Ibla.
It has now been renamed Ragusa Xpress and has undergone a two-year refit at MHH in Marsa.
The catamaran has a new look and offers two floors with bars and amenities.
On Wednesday morning, it left Grand Harbour for a sea trial that took it to the Porto di Ragusa.
Aboard were a crew of seven and ten senior management officials, including Gauci himself.
The Ragusa Xpress underwent a number tests under the supervision of the port authorities in Ragusa to establish how the catamaran will approach the harbour and the berthing procedures.
The berthing in Ragusa was completed without any hitches.
Italian port authorities kept a watchful eye on the approach of the vessel in the port, which is also owned and operated by Gauci.
Local Sicilian newspapers and the mayor himself welcomed RagusaXpress as yet a golden opportunity to increase business in the area.
The Porto di Ragusa, owned by Gauci, also operates 23 outlets including restaurants, shops and amenity services together with a boat yard and extensive parking facilities.
The combined population of Ragusa, Gela, Modica and Vittoria next to the Porto di Ragusa is 280,000 people and could very well be potential future clients of this new ferry service to Malta.
The marina in Marina di Ragusa is one of the best equipped in Sicily, with 700 berths for yachts of up to 50 metres.
Welcome investment
The Maltese investment in Marina di Ragusa has been welcomed in Ragusa, with locals hoping the sale would lead to an increase in tourist numbers.
Ragusa mayor Peppe Cassì previously told Business Today said the port in Marina di Ragusa was crucial for the region and was a point of reference for many boats visiting southern Sicily.
He welcomed the Maltese investment and said this could only help to further cement the strong ties the southern region of Sicily and Malta already enjoy.
“Malta and Sicily are already linked by daily catamaran trips to Pozzallo,” Cassì said. “I only hope that the Maltese investors involve the local region in the regeneration of the harbour.”
He confirmed that plans were in place for parts of the harbour to be dredged to allow for the berthing of larger vessels.
