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Tag: Grimaldi group | Ferry Shipping News

Sep 20
2

Grimaldi Group completes the acquisition of a majority stake in Port of Heraklion

By | 2024 Newsletter week 38 | No Comments

On 18 September 2024, the Grimaldi Group finalised its acquisition of a 67% stake in the Heraklion Port Authority (HPA S.A.), solidifying its presence in the strategic port located in Crete. This acquisition, worth €80 million, was completed in partnership with the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF), which retains a 33% share. 

 The acquisition marks a significant development for the port, providing a platform for further growth and enhancing its role in Mediterranean trade routes. Grimaldi Group’s investment will focus on upgrading the port’s infrastructure, fostering sustainable growth, and introducing renewable energy projects to transform Heraklion into a green port. 

 Grimaldi Euromed’s President, Emanuele Grimaldi, highlighted the port’s potential as a hub for both freight and passenger services, contributing to the local economy by increasing tourism, trade, and job opportunities.  

 This acquisition follows Grimaldi’s prior investment in the Port of Igoumenitsa, reinforcing the group’s commitment to enhancing Greece’s maritime infrastructure.

Sep 06
2

Grimaldi Group to open a new RoRo line between Italy and Turkey

By | 2024 Newsletter week 36 | No Comments

Starting from 14 September, Grimaldi Euromed will deploy two RoRo vessels on the new regular service between Trieste and Ambarli (just a few kilometres from Istanbul), with two weekly departures from each port. 

The new link will be operated by ECO MEDITERRANEA and ECO MALTA, both RoRo vessels of the innovative “GG5G” class. 

With the new direct Trieste-Ambarli connection, the Grimaldi Group “is responding to the growing demand for high-quality maritime transport services between Italy and Turkey from its clients, notably some of the world’s leading manufacturers of automobiles and industrial vehicles, such as BMW, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, DAF, Scania, Stellantis, Kia, and Hyundai.” 

 Source: Grimaldi Group  

Jun 21
2

Interview with Dr. Emanuele Grimaldi, head of the Grimaldi Group and President of ICS

By | 2024 Newsletter week 25 | No Comments

Interview with Dr. Emanuele Grimaldi, head of the Grimaldi Group and President of ICS

In collaboration with Jan-Philip Eckmann we have the pleasure to share the article published in RoPax 12 (May 2023). Key points discussed include:

  1. Fleet Expansion and Innovation: Grimaldi has introduced 12 new RoRo Eco-class vessels, ordered 15 ammonia-ready Pure Car & Truck Carriers, and plans to use innovative technologies such as the “gate rudder” to reduce carbon intensity by 50%.
  2. 2022 Performance: 2022 was the best year in Grimaldi’s history, surpassing 2021, with notable performance from Grimaldi Lines, ACL, and Finnlines.
  3. Baltic Sea Operations: Finnlines reported strong results due to new Eco-class vessels, increased passenger numbers, and the introduction of a new Irish service.
  4. New Services and Competition: New services between Sweden and Poland have started, and new Super Star RoPax vessels have been introduced between Finland and Sweden, despite reduced cargo to Russia.
  5. Environmental Initiatives: Grimaldi focuses on sustainability, with plans for ammonia-ready propulsion systems, carbon capture technologies, and solar panels on new vessels. The group also proposes a tax and reward system to incentivize the use of green fuels.
  6. Market and Route Developments: Grimaldi’s new routes include Naples to Palermo and expanded services in the Balearic Islands. They see potential in Igoumenitsa for growth in cargo traffic from Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, and Turkey.
  7. Digitalization and AI: The company has optimized routes using digitalization, achieving 3% fuel savings, and plans further advancements in AI for operational efficiency.
  8. Future Fuel and Emission Strategies: Grimaldi explores various zero-carbon fuels and carbon capture techniques, aiming to comply with global emission targets by 2050. The company advocates for a global approach to carbon taxation led by the IMO.

The interview highlights Grimaldi’s commitment to innovation, environmental responsibility, and strategic growth in the shipping industry.

CLICK ON COVER TO READ

Read the interview here
Dec 22
0

Official signing of agreement for the sale of 67% of Heraklion Port Shares to Grimaldi Group

By | 2023 Newsletter week 51 | No Comments

On December 18, 2023, GRIMALDI EUROMED – MINOAN LINES officially signed the concession agreement with the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) for 67% of the Port of Heraklion’s shares. The Hellenic Parliament is expected to ratify the agreement in early January 2024, while the transfer of the shares is anticipated to occur at the end of January 2024 in Heraklion, Crete.

Grimaldi Euromed S.p.A. – Minoan Lines secured the international tender last June with a bid of EUR 80 million, and the total investment by the Italian consortium is projected to reach EUR 100 million.

This specific agreement focuses on the green transition of the Cretan port through the electrification from renewable energy sources and the installation of a system for electrifying docked ships (cold ironing), along with the modernization of infrastructure and mechanical equipment. Furthermore, it aims to develop the cruising sector and facilitate the offloading of electric vehicles from China.

Grimaldi Group news
Nov 03
0

The Agreement for the Sale of the 67% of the Igoumenitsa Port Authority Shares to Grimaldi Group was Officially Signed

By | 2023 Newsletter week 44 | No Comments

On October 20, 2023, Grimaldi EuroMed – Minoan Lines – EKEV (Investment Construction Commercial And Industrial S.A.) officially acquired the majority share of the Port of Igoumenitsa -during a ceremony in the port facilities- in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Minister of National Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis, Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy Christos Stylianides and CEO of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) Dimitris Politis.

The specific agreement aims to upgrade the port of Igoumenitsa as well as the better exploitation of its potentials as a major gateway to the Adriatic and the Mediterranean Sea.

The State will maintain the ownership of all the ports’ infrastructure, in which the State remains a strategic partner of the private investor, maintaining a 33% stake through HRADF.

As part of the agreement, the Greek State will also receive an annual concession fee equal to 3.5% of the revenues of the Port of Igoumenitsa S.A. Fee that will mainly be attributed to the Municipalities of Igoumenitsa and Filiates as a tangible financial benefit to the local community.

Jun 23
0

2022 was a record year for Grimaldi Group

By | 2023 Newsletter week 25 | No Comments

Grimaldi Group 2022 in figures:

  • +41% turnover : 4.8 billion (3.4 billion in 2021).
  • +78.8% EBITDA: 1.7 billion
  • +140.8% EBIT: 1.2 billion

These results are the result of “higher volumes of passengers and new cars transported, as well as containers and general cargo” and “are by far the best achieved by the Grimaldi Group in its long history and confirm exponential and continuous growth, with the exception of 2020, which was affected by the effects of Covid.”

At the end of last year the managed fleet consisted of about 140 vessels, of which 130 owned, with an average age of about 14 years.

Outlook: “The management has not recorded any reductions in activities and/or volumes transported in the first months of the year 2023.”

 Also mentioned in the annual report:

The 1995-built EUROFERRY OLYMPIA owned by Grimaldi Group which caught fire in February last year while sailing off the Greek island Ereikoussa is bound for scrap soon.

She is to be sold to Dido Steel Corporation S.A. and will be dismantled and recycled.

Apr 14
0

CRUISE SMERALDA transferred to Finnlines

By | 2023 Newsletter week 15 | No Comments

Ro-pax CRUISE SMERALDA, owned by Grimaldi Group, has just been just chartered out by Grimaldi Euromed to sister company Finnlines.

From the Italian port of Gioia Tauro, and after a stop in Antwerp, the 1997-built CRUISE SMERALDA arrived this week in Vlissingen, the Netherlands, before continuing to Malmö, Sweden.

CRUISE SMERALDA has a max capacity of 1,528 passengers and 819 cars (or 90 cars plus 125 trucks/trailers) and in the recent past had been operating on the motorways of the seas in the West Mediterranean and to/from the North Africa.

The ferry will replace other ferries on the Malmö-Travemünde link during their refurbishments.

“As early as this summer, there will be a new line between Sweden and Poland,” said Tom Pippingsköld in Swedish newspaper “Dagens Industri”. To be followed…

Dec 22
0

Grimaldi Group strengthens Bari and Brindisi lines

By | 2022 Newsletter week 51 | No Comments

On 6-7 December 2022, Mr Guido Grimaldi, Grimaldi Group Corporate Short Sea Shipping Commercial Director & President of ALIS, announced the enhancing of both Bari and Brindisi lines with more vessels.

More specifically, at the port of Bari, he announced the introduction of a fourth Ro-Ro ship, from January 2023, on the Patras-Bari-Venice line and vice versa, which will contribute to the daily service.

The next day, in Brindisi, he announced the new operation on Patras-Igoumenitsa-Brindisi. RoPax EUROPA PALACE will join her fleet mate RoPax IGOUMENITSA, offering more daily departures, from 14 to 22 weekly.

Sep 29
0

Progress on the Privatization Process of the ports of Igoumenitsa and Heraklion

By | 2022 Newsletter week 39 | No Comments

Grimaldi Group and the Port Authority of Thessaloniki will finally compete for the Port of Igoumenitsa. According to the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund the offers submitted by the above two candidates have been eventually selected in the context of the tender for the concession of 67% of the Igoumenitsa Port Authority.

The two interested parties will be invited to submit new improvement offers at the beginning of October.

According to the same information, the Grimaldi Group and the Port Authority of Thessaloniki will compete – along with other “candidates” – for the port of Heraklion as well. The process will start at the beginning of the year and bids are expected to be submitted on January 18, 2023.

Photo: Port of Igoumenitsa, Spyridon Roussos

Jun 02
0

Grimaldi Group’s ECO MALTA christened in Valletta

By | 2022 Newsletter week 22 | No Comments

On 30 May 2022, the port of Valletta hosted the christening ceremony of the ECO MALTA, the latest ro-ro vessel delivered to the Grimaldi Group in March. This is the sixth of 12 hybrid ships belonging to the innovative GG5G (Grimaldi Green 5th Generation) class.

ECO MALTA has joined her sister vessel ECO CATANIA on the connections between Ravenna, Brindisi, Catania and between Genoa and Malta.

“Being here in Malta today for this special occasion, or to christen the largest and most sustainable ship in the world, is a source of great pride for us” said Eugenio Grimaldi, executive director of the Grimaldi Group. “We have been present in Malta for more than sixty years and this event marks an important milestone for the maritime and transport industry locally, as well as throughout the Mediterranean”.