Virtu Ferries have been operating a high speed ferry service between Malta and Sicily since 1988. The Jean De La Valette, 800 passengers, 156 vehicles including trailers, makes over 500 round trips every year between Valletta and Pozzallo (90 minute) and Catania (3 hours) effectively making Malta part of mainland Europe.
Venezia Lines, a wholly owned subsidiary of Virtu Ferries, has since 2001 run a six month seasonal service between Venice and eight Adriatic ports in Slovenia and Croatia. The high speed passenger ferries San Frangisk and San Pawl, both with a capacity of 317 passengers, are deployed on this service. San Gwann, 427 passengers and 21 vehicles, operates between Bari, Italy and Durres in Albania.
All the companies vessels that fly the Malta Flag, are classed by Det Norske Veritas and are certified to the highest international and EU safety standards.