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Tag: Corsica | Ferry Shipping News

Feb 13
3

Corsica – Maritime Traffic Holds Growth in November 2025

By | 2026 Newsletter week 07 | No Comments

Passenger Traffic (Ferry Only – Excluding Cruise)

In November 2025, Corsica recorded:

  • 100,300 ferry passengers
  • +2.1% year-on-year

Growth remains modest but positive in the shoulder season. The 24-month trend shows the usual strong summer peak and stable winter base, confirming structural seasonality rather than volatility.

Port Distribution (November 2025)

Passenger market share by port:

  • Bastia: 49,000 passengers (50%)
  • Ajaccio: 30,000 (30%)
  • L’Île-Rousse: 5,000 (5%)
  • Bonifacio: 5,000 (5%)
  • Porto-Vecchio: 4,000 (4%)
  • Propriano: 3,000 (6%)

Bastia remains the dominant gateway, handling half of all ferry passengers in November.

Operator Market Share (November 2025)

  • Corsica Ferries: 56,000 passengers (56%)
  • Corsica Linea: 27,000 (28%)
  • La Méridionale: 10,000 (10%)
  • Moby Lines: 6,000 (6%)
  • Ichnusa Lines: marginal

Corsica Ferries maintains clear leadership, with more than double the volume of its nearest competitor.

Feb 13
3

Three Reasons Behind Last Week’s Corsica Maritime Transport Strike

By | 2026 Newsletter week 07 | No Comments

Unions at La Méridionale and Corsica Linea cite three core issues behind the early February strike:

  1. Fierce Competition on Maghreb Routes

The Maghreb market represents up to 35–40% of turnover and an even higher share of profits. Competition has intensified, notably from Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), part of MSC, which secured a strong position in Sète–Algeria services in 2025

  1. Higher-Cost French Flag

The two operators (La Méridionale & Corsica Linea) sail under stricter and more costly French social, safety and environmental rules than GNV’s Italian international flag. Talks with the French Transport Ministry are ongoing, with an eight-week working timeline agreed

  1. EU Carbon Costs (ETS)

The EU ETS regime adds further cost pressure. Greece secured exemptions for its islands; Corsica has not

Source: France 3 Corse ViaStella (in French)

Dec 05
3

Corsica Key Maritime Transport Observations – July 2025

By | 2025 Newsletter week 49 | No Comments
  • Maritime passenger traffic reached 762,200, showing a +3.5% increase compared with July 2024 — a strong performance in the crucial summer month.
  • Bastia remains the dominant port, handling 52% (398,000 passengers) of all ferry travellers in July.
  • Ajaccio is second with 22% (165,000 passengers), followed by L’Île-Rousse at 14% (105,000).
  • Corsica Ferries is by far the largest carrier, moving 52% (398,000) of all maritime passengers.
  • Corsica Linea accounts for 14% (107,000).
  • La Méridionale handles around 11% (83,000).
  • Italian operators (Ichnusa Lines, Moby Lines) remain niche players (3–4%).
  • France remains the principal origin market, representing 61% (463,000) of maritime passengers, with Italy supplying 39% (298,000).

 Source: Corse Developpement

Dec 05
3

Corsica Key Maritime Transport Observations – August 2025

By | 2025 Newsletter week 49 | No Comments
  • Maritime passenger numbers reached 1,018,000, a slight increase (+0.2%) compared with August 2024 — essentially stable at a very high seasonal level.
  • Bastia again dominates, handling 52% (524,000) of passengers.
  • Ajaccio represents 23% (236,000) and L’Île-Rousse 14% (142,000).
  • Corsica Ferries maintains over half the market with 52% (730,000).
  • Corsica Linea holds 14% (126,000).
  • La Méridionale retains a 10% share (101,000).
  • Italian companies remain marginal (3–4%).
  • Origin markets shift slightly, with France at 59% (598,000) and Italy increasing to 41% (419,000) — indicating stronger Italian demand in late summer.

Source: Corse Developpement

Aug 01
3

2024 Transport Trends Show Mixed Picture in Corsica

By | 2025 Newsletter week 31 | No Comments

Transport activity in Corsica in 2024 showed diverging trends across sectors, according to the  annual figures published recently.

Maritime passenger traffic, excluding cruise passengers, remained volatile throughout the year, with notable growth during the high summer season. August (+6.7%) and December (+2.6%) recorded increases year-on-year, while some shoulder months, such as September (–0.2%) and November (0.2%), were largely stable. Total maritime passenger flows still performed better than air, which saw several months of decline, particularly September (–0.3%) and October (–10.9%).

Freight transport by sea saw sharper fluctuations. Tonnage of goods (excluding tare) dropped heavily in June (–26.6%) and October (–12.4%) but rebounded in December (+16.7%), reflecting the ongoing instability in cargo demand.

Air travel was hit hardest, with several months recording steep year-on-year declines, notably October (–10.9%) and April (–7.0%). Nevertheless, August (+8%) and December (+7%) confirmed the continuing strength of peak holiday periods.

The mixed performance highlights an ongoing sensitivity to seasonal demand patterns and wider economic conditions, particularly for freight and air travel. Maritime passenger transport remains relatively resilient, boosted by summer tourism flows.

Aug 01
3

Q1 2025 Transport Trends in Corsica

By | 2025 Newsletter week 31 | No Comments

Air passenger traffic started slightly down in January (–1.9%), rose sharply in February (+12.4%), but dropped significantly in March (–15.7%).

Maritime passenger traffic was weak in January (–1.3%) and plunged in February (–22%), before rebounding in March (+17.1%).

Freight transport by sea remained negative throughout the quarter, with modest declines each month.

The first quarter reflects a highly unstable start to the year, with strong weather or economic effects likely distorting February and March results. March’s maritime rebound may indicate a recovery, but freight remains under pressure.

Jun 07
2

Moby: new ferry routes to Corsica

By | 2024 Newsletter week 23 | No Comments

Moby has expanded its ferry services to Corsica with new and enhanced routes, catering to the growing demand from travellers. The additions include two new lines: Genoa-Ajaccio-Porto Torres and Piombino-Bastia.

The Genoa-Ajaccio-Porto Torres route will operate from June to September, with two services per week in June and three in July, August, and September. This new service is designed to provide a more convenient connection, allowing passengers to save travel time and enjoy their holidays in Ajaccio.

The Piombino-Bastia route, the fastest connection between the mainland and Corsica, will run two rotations per week on Saturdays and Sundays during July and August.

In addition to the new routes, Moby is strengthening its existing services. The Livorno-Bastia line sees increased frequency since Easter until November, with daily departures. The Genoa-Bastia route is strengthened from mid-May to the end of September, offering up to two trips per day.

These expansions reflect Moby’s commitment to enhancing accessibility to Corsica, complementing its historic routes: Genoa-Bastia, Livorno-Bastia, and Santa Teresa di Gallura-Bonifacio.

Mar 29
1

Monthly figures Corsica

By | 2024 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

ORTC (Corsica Transport Office) published the monthly traffic statistics.

January February
Passengers Airport 158,010 (+7.4%) 144,841 (+2.1%)
Passengers Ferry 86,610 (+4.4%) 75,316 (-13.1%)
Passenger Cars 36,251 (+0.7%) 32,310 (-10.7%)
Freight (tons) 147,392 (+4.8%) 162,615 (+26.2%)

The monthly reports can be downloaded here (in French)

Oct 13
0

Sicilian Region finally orders the long-awaited ferry

By | 2023 Newsletter week 41 | No Comments

A new ferry, fully owned by the Sicilian Region and entirely “made in Sicily” will provide service to Lampedusa and Pantelleria.

  • The new vessel will be built entirely in the Fincantieri Palermo shipyard.
  • The delivery of the vessel is scheduled for 2026.
  • It will operate on routes between Sicily and the islands of Lampedusa and Pantelleria.
  • LOA
  • GT 14,500.
  • 19 knots.
  • 1,000 people – 200 cars.
  • Dual fuel engines, MDO –
  • A photovoltaic system, along with energy storage in a battery pack, will allow the vessel to remain in port with zero emissions for approximately four hours.
Oct 13
0

DFDS September Volumes: Freight 2% Lower, Passengers 9% Higher

By | 2023 Newsletter week 41 | No Comments

Ferry – freight:

  • Total volumes in September 2023 were 1.9% below 2022.
  • North Sea volumes were slightly below 2022 as firm automotive volumes were offset by mainly lower volumes between Sweden and the UK.
  • Mediterranean’s growth trend improved in September as volumes were back on level with 2022.
  • Channel volumes were also on level with 2022.
  • Baltic Sea volumes were below 2022 due to lower demand from both the continuing impact of the war in Ukraine and a decline in the transport of construction materials.
  • For the last twelve months 2023-22, the total transported freight lane metres decreased 10.5% to 38.6m from 43.1m in 2022-21. The decrease was 4.4% adjusted for Channel.

Ferry – passenger:

  • The number of passengers increased 9.4% driven by primarily more Channel passengers.
  • The number of cars increased 0.6%.
  • The total number of passengers increased 37% to 4.5m for the last twelve months, 2023-22, from 3.2m in 2022-21.