Waste truck on Gozo Ferry – A proactive intervention by the Ombudsman

Waste truck on Gozo Ferry – A proactive intervention by the Ombudsman

Published July 21, 2025

The Case

On Saturday 28th June 2025, during a noon crossing from Mġarr to Ċirkewwa on a Gozo Channel ferry, the Parliamentary Ombudsman personally witnessed a situation that raised serious public health and passenger welfare concerns.

A waste collection truck operated by Wasteserv Malta Ltd was allowed to board the ferry in a visibly unclean state. The vehicle emitted a strong and unpleasant stench in the vehicle deck, a confined space, creating considerable discomfort for those on board. With high temperatures conditions became intolerable. It was immediately evident that the truck should not have been permitted on the ferry in that state.

The Investigation

Acting under Article 13(2) of the Ombudsman Act, the Office of the Ombudsman launched an own-initiative investigation. Letters were sent to the Chief Executive Officer of Wasteserv Malta Ltd and the Chairman of Gozo Channel Company Ltd to raise concerns and request clarification on existing procedures. The Ombudsman specifically asked whether Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were in place for the transportation of waste trucks on passenger ferries and whether any pre-boarding checks were carried out to ensure that such vehicles are clean, disinfected, and securely sealed before boarding.

Outcome

Both Wasteserv and Gozo Channel responded promptly and acknowledged that the incident should not have occurred.

Wasteserv accepted full responsibility for the condition of the truck and committed to adopting stricter internal procedures. These include daily deep-cleaning of all waste vehicles and requiring a duty supervisor to confirm that each truck is fit to board a ferry prior to departure. The company assured the Ombudsman that any shortcomings would be addressed immediately and that the standards of hygiene and containment would be enforced consistently.

Gozo Channel explained that unclean vehicles are normally not permitted to board and that this incident resulted from an oversight during the boarding process. The company committed to reminding its staff of their responsibilities and to enhancing its coordination with Wasteserv. It also recognised the need to ensure that waste vehicles are isolated from passengers when on board and that ferry staff remain vigilant in protecting public health and safety.

Conclusions and Recommendations

This case underscores the importance of proper enforcement of hygiene and safety protocols when transporting waste on ferries used by the public. The Ombudsman noted that under the EU Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC), fully transposed into Maltese law, the transportation of municipal waste must not pose a risk to health or the environment, and must avoid nuisance. The Directive places clear obligations on both the waste operator and the transport provider.

In line with these standards, the Ombudsman recommended that Wasteserv ensure all waste trucks are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before any attempt to board Gozo Channel vessels. Trucks should have all hatches closed or covered, and supervisory checks should confirm their suitability before each journey.

Gozo Channel, on its part, has an obligation to carry out pre-boarding inspections to verify the condition of waste vehicles, refuse boarding of trucks that are visibly unclean or odorous, and ensure that such vehicles are positioned in a way that minimises negative impact on passengers.

To improve transparency and accountability, the Ombudsman also recommended that both Wasteserv and Gozo Channel publish their respective SOPs regulating the transport of waste on ferries. Importantly, the Ombudsman called for the creation of a dedicated public reporting mechanism through which passengers can report similar incidents.

To date, the Ombudsman is still awaiting feedback on the implementation of this recommendation.

This case illustrates how the Office of the Ombudsman can act independently and proactively in defence of the public interest, even in the absence of a formal complaint. It also highlights how constructive engagement with public authorities can lead to meaningful improvements in service standards and safeguard the rights and wellbeing of all passengers.