Following the example of the ropax SPLENDID where 25 cabins were fitted with some specific equipment and services to accommodate Coronavirus-affected people, a second unit from Grandi Navi Veloci might be used as hospital ship in Southern Italy.
The major of Gioia Tauro wrote a letter to Gianluigi Aponte asking for a ferry to be moored in the port and the founder of MSC Group (which also operates a big terminal container there) replied positively. Matteo Catani, CEO of GNV, said they would be ready to send a ship there if required by the health authorities.
A third example of accomodation vessel for infected people may take shape in the port of Ancona where the Italian Protezione Civile, the public body in charge for managing the coronavirus emergency, is considering whether to use a ship or a hotel ashore in case of lack of beds in the hospitals to receive patients. In Ancona a passenger vessel from the Adria ferries fleet would be the most likely option in case.