Virtu Finance plc - Update on Ferry Operations

On 28 March 2020, Virtu Finance plc issued an announcement providing further updates on the Group’s operations. In this respect, Virtu explained that apart from the ‘HSC Saint John Paul II’ which operates the Malta-Sicily route and which is currently operating on a significantly reduced schedule, it also owns the ‘HSC Maria Dolores’ and the ‘HSC Jean De La Valette’.

Following discussions with the charterer of the ‘HSC Maria Dolores’ operating the Spain-Morocco route, the contract for the lease of the vessel which was due to expire on 30 May 2020 has now been terminated. Nonetheless, Virtu is in receipt of enquiries from other third party operators potentially interested in chartering the vessel, and discussions have already commenced with a view to resume operations at the opportune moment. On the other hand, the charterer of the ‘HSC Jean de la Valette’ operating the Trinidad-Tobago route has, with effect from 25 March 2020, exercised the option to extend the term of the charter party agreement by a further six months to 30 December 2020.

Virtu noted that it will continue monitoring the ongoing situations in Malta, Italy and all other jurisdictions in which its fleet is currently operating, and will keep the market duly updated on developments relative to its operations.