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Tag: GNV | Ferry Shipping News

Apr 25
3

Ropax TENACIA Back in Service for GNV After Nine Months

By | 2025 Newsletter week 17 | No Comments

Almost ten months after a fire broke out while sailing to Ibiza, the RoPax ship TENACIA—owned by Isabella Grimaldi’s “Grimaldi Investments” but operated under a bareboat charter by GNV—is back in service.

MSC-controlled GNV confirmed that “TENACIA will return to operations this summer after a period of work necessary to completely restore the technical parts damaged last July.”

The repair work was carried out at the Nuova Meccanica Navale shipyard in Naples, a company in which MSC also holds a stake.

The incident occurred on 8 July in the high seas, north of Ibiza, following a fire outbreak in the engine room. At the time, the ship was carrying goods and approximately 400 passengers and crew between Valencia and Palma de Mallorca.

Apr 18
3

Newly Built RoPax Ship GNV ORION Delivered to MSC

By | 2025 Newsletter week 16 | No Comments

GNV, the Genoa-based ferry company owned by the MSC Group, has taken delivery of GNV ORION at Guangzhou Shipyard International in China. This is the second vessel in a series of four new RoPax units.

The ship, owned by MSC and bareboat chartered to GNV, will soon depart for the Mediterranean to complete final fittings before entering service by the end of June on the regular Genoa–Palermo route.

With a gross tonnage of approximately 52,000 tons, a length of 218 metres, a beam of 29.60 metres, and a maximum speed of 25 knots, GNV ORION can accommodate 1,700 passengers in 433 cabins and transport up to 3,080 lane metres of cargo.

The vessel is equipped for cold ironing. It also features advanced emission reduction systems, including exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR), complying with IMO Tier III requirements.

Apr 06
3

PORTS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 14 | No Comments

GNV Officially Announced Its Debut Into The Algerian Market

GNV, part of the MSC Group, has announced its strategic entry into the Algerian market — what was expected and has now been confirmed. This move further strengthens the company’s presence in the Maghreb region and expands its international service offering in the Mediterranean.

The Company will add two weekly connections to Algeria to its 2025 schedule, starting from June 3 and until September 30 : Sète – Algiers and Sète – Bejaia , with a weekly frequency.

The ship will be the FANTASTIC. She will operate on all routes, offering onboard services tailored to the needs of the North African market. Passengers will be able to enjoy halal cuisine, a prayer room and areas dedicated to families.

Here is a list of ferry operators serving routes between Europe and Algeria:

  • Corsica Linea: Marseille to Algiers and Béjaïa. ​
  • Algérie Ferries: Marseille to Algerian ports such as Algiers, Oran, Béjaïa, and Skikda. ​
  • Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea: Almería to Oran and Ghazaouet. ​
  • Baleària: Valencia to Mostaganem and Oran, and from Barcelona to Algiers. ​
  • Nouris Elbahr Ferries: Marseille or Alicante to Algiers and Béjaïa. ​
  • L’Aures Ferries: Plans to operate routes connecting Sète (France) to Algerian ports.
  • GNV to start Sète to Algiers and Bejaia.
Mar 30
3

SHIPS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

Four New RoPax Ships Ordered by MSC from GSI for GNV

Sources familiar with the matter told Ferry Shipping News that Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has ordered two new RoPax ferries—plus options for two more—from Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) in China for its subsidiary GNV.

These four new dual-fuel LNG vessels, set for delivery from 2027 onwards, will be sister ships to GNV VIRGO and GNV AURORA. Each will be 218 metres long and nearly 30 metres wide, with a gross tonnage of 52,300. They will have a maximum speed of 25 knots, over 420 cabins, the capacity to accommodate up to 1,785 passengers, and 2,780 lane metres of RoRo cargo.

Each newbuild is expected to cost more than EUR 150 million. The vessels will be financed by MSC and subsequently transferred to GNV under bareboat charter agreements.

The Aponte-controlled ferry company has already taken delivery of GNV POLARIS from GSI, with GNV ORION, GNV VIRGO, and GNV AURORA due to follow in the coming months

Mar 21
3

DIGITAL

By | 2025 Newsletter week 12 | No Comments

GNV Tests RINA’s Smart System to Cut Fuel Use on New Ship

GNV is using RINA’s SERTICA Performance on its newest ship, GNV POLARIS, starting with tests during the vessel’s first journey from China to Italy. This smart system helps monitor fuel use, improve efficiency, and optimise operations.

How It Works:

Real-time Monitoring

  • Sensors on board track key data like fuel consumption and engine power.
  • The system gives a clear picture of energy use for the crew and onshore teams.

Better Fuel Efficiency

  • Tests identified two best ways to run the ship for minimum fuel use.
  • Simulations at different speeds helped find the most efficient setup.
  • The system was tested on the Genoa-Palermo route, confirming accurate fuel-saving predictions.

Smart Learning for the Future

  • A machine learning model of the ship predicts performance over time.
  • It helps plan maintenance, like cleaning the hull or adjusting engines, to keep fuel use low.
  • The system can also simulate different routes to find the best settings for new journeys.
Jan 10
2

GNV Rumoured to Launch New RoPax Line Between France and Algeria

By | 2025 Newsletter week 02 | No Comments

MSC-controlled ferry operator GNV has not commented on market rumours, but multiple sources suggest the company is preparing to inaugurate a new RoPax line connecting the port of Sète in southern France with Algeria.

The French publication Le Marin reported this week that GNV recently secured the necessary authorisations in France. However, this development has sparked concerns among labour unions about increased competition, which could impact existing operators such as Algérie Ferries and Corsica Linea.

Nov 22
2

Brittany Ferries Chairman Responds to Jersey’s Ferry Contract Decision

By | 2024 Newsletter week 47 | No Comments

Brittany Ferries’ chairman, Jean-Marc Roué, has issued a strong response to Jersey’s chief minister regarding the ongoing ferry contract dispute. In a letter to Lyndon Farnham, Mr Roué expressed both surprise and concern over Jersey’s decision not to accept the joint Condor-Brittany Ferries bid, particularly given Guernsey’s approval following a thorough nine-month tender process.

While confirming Brittany Ferries’ intention to participate in Jersey’s new bid process, Mr Roué also addressed recent critical comments made in the States of Jersey Assembly and reported in the media.

“The company I chair exists solely to prioritise customer satisfaction,” Mr Roué stated in his letter. “All financial benefits from our activities are fully reinvested into the company. For instance, we are currently undergoing the largest fleet renewal in our history, with five new-generation ships, including two powered by cleaner hybrid LNG-electric technology.”

The letter underscores Brittany Ferries’ commitment to environmental sustainability and operational excellence amid the evolving tender process.

Source: Brittany Ferries Newsroom

Nov 22
2

GNV Announces Two Top Management Appointments to Strengthen Commercial Strategy

By | 2024 Newsletter week 47 | No Comments

GNV, a ferry company that is part of the MSC Group, has announced the appointment of Matteo Della Valle as its new Chief Commercial Officer and Matteo De Candia as the new General Manager of GNV in Spain.

“These new appointments represent an important step in the evolution of the company, which is committed to consolidating its position in the passenger and freight maritime transport sector in the Mediterranean, with a focus on growth in international markets,” the company stated.

Matteo Della Valle, in his new role, will expand his responsibilities to include the coordination of activities for both the passenger and cargo segments. His extensive experience in passenger sales management and his integrated vision of commercial operations are expected to strengthen GNV’s presence and competitiveness in key markets.

Matteo De Candia, formerly the Freight Commercial Director, will now lead GNV’s operations in Spain. His goal will be to consolidate activities in the Spanish market across both passenger and freight sectors. With his deep knowledge of the cargo industry, he is well-positioned to enhance growth opportunities in the Balearic Islands, a strategic region that represents approximately 20% of the company’s business.

Oct 25
2

ARIES to Leave GNV’s Fleet and Bound for Scrap in Turkey

By | 2024 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

Sources familiar with the matter have confirmed to Ferry Shipping News that GNV ARIES is now en route to the port of Piraeus and will subsequently reach a dismantling yard in Turkey, after being sold for scrap by Grandi Navi Veloci.

The Genoa-based, MSC-controlled company has recently taken delivery of the newly built GNV Polaris and, on that occasion, confirmed that it will progressively retire older and underperforming vessels.

GNV Aries was built in 1987 and was purchased by MSC Group as Pride of York from P&O Ferries in 2021. It could accommodate up to 850 passengers and had 2,250 lane metres of space for rolling cargo and cars in its garage. The sale price has not been disclosed.

Aug 02
2

GNV increases the capacity of three RoPax ferries under construction

By | 2024 Newsletter week 31 | No Comments

GNV Polaris, the first newbuilding under construction in China and scheduled to be delivered before the end of the current year, will be deployed on the routes linking Barcelona and Valencia to Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza. 

Due to the exit of the fire-stricken La Suprema from the fleet, GNV decided to increase the passenger capacity of the other three RoPax ferries ordered from GSI shipyard in China by adding the number of cabins from 250 to 450 (3,000 lane metres garage confirmed). The upgrade will increase the value of the newbuilding programme for all four new ships signed by MSC Group for GNV from EUR 500 to EUR 600 million. 

GNV closed the financial year 2023 with a loss of EUR 155 million. Total revenues reached EUR 600 million while EBITDA was negative for EUR 53 million. 

According to the Genoa-based, MSC-controlled company, the reasons are linked to the high competition in the cargo market, the fire that occurred in January 2023 on the ferry La Suprema (total loss declared in exchange for EUR 85 million from the insurers), bunker costs, and expenses for the Balearic Islands startup plan launched in 2021.