Two years ago, Caronte&Tourist took delivery of the dual-fuel ship ELIO which has been running up to date with marine gasoil since LNG is not available in the Strait of Messina.
A few days ago, CEO Vincenzo Franza publicly protested during the opening ceremony of a LNG station for trucks in Catania. This summer, Caronte’s application to realise a small LNG depot in Tremestieri, in order to make LNG available for ELIO, was rejected for the second time.
Mario Mega, newly appointed chairman of the port authority in Messina, replied that they are evaluating the opportunity to build up a larger LNG depot also for cruise vessels therefore a smaller one would be in case not necessary.
Franza underlined that ELIO will not be able to bunker LNG until a depot is opened in Messina.
