Hidden Marsaskala Ferry report released: timeline reveals predetermined decision - Momentum - The Malta Independent
The release of a previously undisclosed Grant Thornton report via a Freedom of Information request has confirmed long-standing suspicions that the proposed fast ferry service from Marsascala to Valletta was driven by political decision-making rather than genuine feasibility analysis. The document’s September 2025 date, occurring after the project was publicly announced, suggests the study was retrofitted to justify a predetermined political move. This chronology undermines the report’s credibility as an independent assessment, indicating that critical investigative stages were bypassed in favor of expedited implementation. The report exhibits significant omissions regarding environmental safety, logistical reality, and alternative solutions. It fails to address the ecological damage caused by required dredging, overlooks the displacement of local fishermen and swimmers, and neglects the infrastructure capacity for increased traffic. Furthermore, the study ignores comparable, less invasive options such as shuttle services or utilizing existing infrastructure in other localities. These gaps suggest a disregard for comprehensive planning and a focus on maximizing tourist throughput over sustainable community needs. This case is highly relevant to open data advocates as it illustrates the potential for transparency mechanisms to expose flawed governance and hidden agendas. It demonstrates how FOI requests can reveal discrepancies between official justifications and actual planning processes, holding authorities accountable for lacking rigor in public projects. The incident underscores the importance of accessing raw data and independent studies to verify that public infrastructure decisions are based on sound evidence rather than political expediency.
Source: independent.com.mtPublished on 2025-12-24
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