MSC-controlled ferry operator GNV has celebrated the christening of its newest vessel, GNV AURORA, in Morocco, marking both the arrival of a new ship and the expansion of its services to the North African market.
The investment forms part of GNV’s fleet renewal programme, valued at more than €1.3 billion.
From June, the company, led by Matteo Catani, will deploy two of its newest dual-fuel LNG ferries, GNV AURORA and GNV VIRGO, on the Genoa–Barcelona–Tanger Med route.
Both vessels were built by Guangzhou Shipyard International in China. Measuring 218 metres in length, they each feature 426 passenger cabins, capacity for more than 1,700 passengers and 2,780 lane metres of freight.
During the ceremony, GNV highlighted its nearly 20-year presence in the Moroccan market. Over that period, the operator has carried more than six million passengers on routes to and from Morocco. In 2025 alone, more than 465,000 passengers travelled on its Moroccan services.
The expansion also forms part of the company’s long-term growth strategy towards 2030. Demand is expected to benefit from the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Morocco, Spain and Portugal.
