The tender for the sale of MOBY AKI, MOBY WONDER, ATHARA, JANAS, and MOBY ALE 2 was concluded this week. The lot was awarded for €229.9m to the MSC Group, acting through Luxembourg-based SAS. (see Fallco Aste portal ).
The sale forms part of the agreement between SAS (MSC Group), Moby, and GNV to resolve concerns raised by the Italian Antitrust Authority about potential cartel behaviour on services between mainland Italy and Sardinia. The proceeds will be used to repay the €243m loan provided by MSC/SAS. If the proceeds do not fully cover the loan, the remaining credit will be transferred to an independent third party under conditions that protect Moby’s financial stability.
For MOBY AKI and MOBY WONDER, the transaction takes the form of a sale-and-leaseback. Moby will charter both ships for fifteen years. The charter requires the vessels to retain their names and to continue sailing under the Italian flag.
ATHARA, JANAS, and MOBY ALE 2 are expected to join the GNV fleet once the transfer is completed. Their deployment has not yet been announced, but they are likely to strengthen GNV’s capacity on domestic and Mediterranean routes.
The award closes a key chapter in Moby’s restructuring process and clarifies the future of five important vessels in the Italian ferry market.
