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Tag: BluNavy | Ferry Shipping News

May 03
3

Bluferries took delivery of ATHENA

By | 2025 Newsletter week 18 | No Comments

Bluferries, a company that is part of the FS Group (Italian State Railways), has welcomed its newly built double-ended ferry ATHENA, which has just arrived in the port of Messina.

“ATHENA – the name of the latest addition to the Bluferries fleet – marks a significant step forward in the field of sustainable maritime technology,” said Giuseppe Sciumè, Chief Executive Officer of Bluferries. “It is a hybrid RoRo passenger ship equipped with a latest-generation hybrid propulsion system, underlining our commitment to environmental protection.”

Valued at EUR 26 million, ATHENA is a sister ship to the non-hybrid vessels TRINACRIA and SIKANIA. All three ships were ordered through the support of Ferrando & Massone Shipbrokers and built at the Kanellos Brothers Shipyard in Perama, Greece.

ATHENA is 105 metres long and 18 metres wide. She has a dedicated vehicle deck and a separate passenger deck. Her capacity allows for up to 22 trucks or 125 vehicles, and 393 people including travellers and crew members.

In the coming weeks, ATHENA will enter service on the regular maritime route between Messina and Villa San Giovanni, across the Strait of Messina.

May 03
3

CORSICA EXPRESS THREE sold by Corsica Ferries to BluNavy

By | 2025 Newsletter week 18 | No Comments

A few months after the agreement that saw BN di Navigazione – the company behind the BluNavy brand – acquire the Elba Ferries brand and its service slots from Corsica Ferries, the fast ferry CORSICA EXPRESS THREE has also changed hands as part of the same strategic move.

BluNavy’s CEO, Gianluca Morace, confirmed to FERRY SHIPPING NEWS that “the purchase was already included in the terms of the Elba Ferries deal but has simply been brought forward. The investment for the vessel is approximately EUR 3 million.”

The vessel’s deployment is still to be finalised. “As previously announced, during the next summer season, BluNavy will operate with the ferries ACCIARELLO and TREMESTIERI, which are already in service, along with the recently acquired AETHALIA, which will be active from the end of May,” Morace said.

CORSICA EXPRESS THREE is a high-speed vessel built in 1996 in Italy by the Rodriquez Shipyard. She measures 103 metres in length and 15 metres in width, has a maximum speed of 37 knots, and can carry over 500 passengers and 150 cars. In recent years, she has operated for Corsica Ferries on routes between Piombino–Portoferraio and Piombino–Bastia.

Feb 02
2

Norwegian Fast Ferries: A Big Step Towards Zero Emissions

By | 2025 Newsletter week 5 | No Comments

A Breakthrough for High-Speed Ferries

  • Hurtigbåtforbundet, representing 120 vessels, has secured a fuel agreement with Bunker Oil to supply HVO100, an advanced biodiesel.
  • This switch can cut CO₂ emissions by 90% this year—far ahead of Norway’s 2030 target of 55%.
  • No vessel modifications needed—HVO100 works in existing engines, ensuring an easy transition.

Why Electrification Isn’t Enough

  • Fully electric and hybrid ferries work for short, structured routes, but high-speed, long-range, and emergency vessels need alternatives.
  • Heavy battery weight and limited range make full electrification impractical for many operations.

The Case for HVO100

  • CO₂ reduction: 85-97% compared to marine gas oil (MGO).
  • NOx reduction: Up to 90% with catalytic converters.
  • No infrastructure changes required—it blends seamlessly with existing fuels.
  • Made from waste materials without affecting food production.

A Cost-Effective Green Shift

  • Potential CO₂ savings for the fleet: 63,569 tonnes per year.
  • The extra cost of HVO100 for the industry is only 24% of the fishing sector’s CO₂ tax compensation—yet delivers unmatched environmental benefits.
  • From 2026, biogas may also be accepted in Norway’s World Heritage fjords, offering another alternative to zero emissions.

With this agreement, Hurtigbåtforbundet is leading a realistic, impactful transition to sustainable maritime transport.

Photo Bjarne Rygg, Jan Kleven and Rune Midtkandal, Hurtigbåtforbundet HRF

Feb 02
2

Double-Ended Ferry SAMSØ Bought by BluNavy

By | 2025 Newsletter week 5 | No Comments

BN di Navigazione, operating under the Blu Navy brand and serving the route between Elba Island and mainland Italy, has purchased the double-ended ferry SAMSØ, which is expected to depart in the coming days from the Danish port of Svendborg.

The vessel will head to Genoa for refit works.

SAMSØ was originally purchased last year from the Canadian company CTMA and was intended to operate on the Rivière-du-Loup – Saint-Siméon route.

BluNavy’s CEO, Luca Morace, confirmed the acquisition to Ferry Shipping News, stating: “The investment for the purchase exceeds €7 million. The ferry, now renamed AETHALIA, was active in Denmark until just a few weeks ago and is in good condition.”

The vessel is 91 metres long, 16 metres wide, with a draft of 3.5 metres. She can sail at a speed of 17 knots, transporting up to 600 passengers and 120 cars in her garage.

Jan 27
6

ANTONELLO DA MESSINA chartered by BluNavy

By | 2022 Newsletter week 4 | No Comments

The ferry company BluNavy has just welcomed in its fleet the ropax unit ANTONELLO DA MESSINA chartered in from Siremar (jointly controlled by Caronte & Tourist and Liberty Lines).

After some tests the ship started covering the Piombino – Porto Ferraio route offering 4 roundtrips per day and operates ‘in combination’ with the ferry VESTA.

ANTONELLO DA MESSINA has been chartered to replace the ferry ACCIARELLO which is expected to be refitted.

740 pax | 70 cars | 16 knots speed | 71m | Built 1989 Shipyard Nuovi Cantieri Apuania

Photo: Mattia Montanelli

Nov 15
0

BluNavy’s ICHNUSA Offering A Maritime Shuttle Service With The “Island Of Portofino”

By | 2018 Newsletter Week 46 | No Comments

The glamorous village of Portofino near Genoa, following the fierce winds and rains which devastated tourist icons in Italy in the last few weeks, is now only reachable by sea, after the main road collapsed.

Following the event, the ferry ICHNUSA owned by BN Sarnav (joint venture controlled by BluNavy and participated by Delcomar) has just been deployed for two spot connections from the port of Genoa to Portofino and back for the transport of trucks and cars.

Ichnusa is normally deployed between Sardinia (Santa Teresa Gallura) and Corsica islands (Bonifacio) during the summer months.

Aldo Negri, head of BluNavy, said: “After the first two voyages performed during the emergency phase, we are now talking with the Municipality of Portofino in order to understand whether a regular maritime connection with Portofino would be viable and economically sustainable”.