Things are happening in the seas around Malta. For an island community with a considerable maritime history, it is surprising just how poorly served Malta is by major ferry companies.

The Arab Spring signalled the demise of Malta’s long-standing links with North Africa. In recent years, the car ferry connections from Malta to the Italian mainland have been severed — either through the routes being axed or operators switching to a freight-only operation. Regular passenger services to Civitavecchia, Livorno and Genoa all slipped from timetables. By spring this year, Malta was left with just one car ferry link with Italy, the Virtu Ferries service from Malta to Sicily.

But now things are looking up. A new weekly link with Tripoli attracts good custom and there is also a new link to the Italian mainland.