Tag

Tag: Italy | Ferry Shipping News

Mar 21
3

Italy Launches Public Consultation on Maritime Transport Services

By | 2025 Newsletter week 12 | No Comments

The Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has launched a public consultation to assess the future of maritime transport services between the mainland and the country’s major islands. The initiative comes as several public service contracts for ferry routes are set to expire between 2025 and 2026, requiring a reassessment of service needs.

Key Routes Under Review

In 2020, four ferry routes were returned to the free market after an evaluation by the Transport Regulation Authority (ART), removing public service obligations (PSO):

  • Livorno-Cagliari (freight only)
  • Ravenna-Brindisi-Catania (freight only)
  • Naples-Palermo (passengers and freight, winter PSO only)
  • Genoa-Olbia-Arbatax (passengers and freight)

Meanwhile, the Civitavecchia-Olbia service, which still operates under public service obligations, requires a renewal decision by April 2025. Several other PSO contracts for Sardinia and Sicily will also expire in 2026.

Assessing the Market’s Capability

The consultation aims to determine whether the free market can ensure reliable transport links between the mainland and islands or if government intervention is needed to maintain accessibility and affordability for passengers and freight. Special attention is being given to the transport of live animals and carcasses on the Livorno-Olbia route during the summer.

Industry and Public Input Sought

The Ministry is inviting consumer associations, transport operators, and logistics companies to share feedback on service needs, challenges, and potential improvements. Stakeholders can submit their input by 4 April 2025 via dg.tm@pec.mit.gov.it.

Mar 08
3

RoRo Terminal Venice Ro-Port Mos Put Up for Sale in Italy

By | 2025 Newsletter week 10 | No Comments

As part of the financial restructuring procedure of the Mantovani Group, the Court of Padua has put up for sale 97% of the RoRo terminal Venice Ro-Port Mos SCPA, based in Fusina (Venice). The indicative enterprise value is set at EUR 46.1 million.

Expressions of interest, including the offered price, must be submitted by 12:00 (Italian time) on 30 May.

The terminal is dedicated to RoRo and RoPax traffic and features a highly automated infrastructure. In total, it offers 250,000 square metres of port yards, with 165,000 square metres allocated for RoRo/RoPax activities and 85,000 square metres for car carriers. Up to four ships can be berthed simultaneously.

May 05
0

Italy’s Government open to non-EU crew members on the local cabotage

By | 2023 Newsletter week 18 | No Comments

Last Monday (May 1, 2023), Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Government implemented a new labor decree, which includes tax cuts and an article pertaining to maritime transport. Specifically, the law allows shipping companies that operate ro-ro and ro-pax vessels for local cabotage to hire non-EU seafarers for a limited duration of three months. However, this can only be done with an agreement with trade unions.

The new law was proposed by ferry companies due to the shortage of Italian and European seafarers last summer because of Covid-19 related restrictions. It is expected that the same emergency will occur during the upcoming summer season.

Apr 21
0

Two charters signed for fast ferries on the Italian cabotage

By | 2023 Newsletter week 16 | No Comments

Genoa-based broker firm Ferrando & Massone made public two charter contracts.

  1. Monohull HSC ISOLA DI VULCANO (520 pax, 57 cars, 30 knots) has been chartered out from Caronte & Tourist Isole Minori to Navigazione Libera del Golfo. The latter confirmed the deal, explaining that she will be used on the regular links between Termoli and the Tremiti Islands in the Adriatic Sea.
  2. The Maurizio-Aponte-headed Navigazione Libera del Golfo also chartered out the monohull HSC SALERNO JET (445 pax, 30 knots). Blue Jet will use the vessel on the Strait of Messina.
Apr 21
0

New ro-ro link likely to be soon put in place between Damietta and Trieste

By | 2023 Newsletter week 16 | No Comments

Italy and Egypt “are working” on “launching a new line” of “ro-ro ferries between the ports of Damietta and Trieste.”

The announcement came from Italy’s Ambassador in Egypt, Michele Quaroni, speaking at the presentation of a report on the Suez Canal produced by the SRM Study Centre with Alexbank.

This new line between Egypt and the North Adriatic port, if and when it becomes operational, will make possible to connect “European markets” with Egypt and “other regions” in North Africa, the Ambassador added.

Which shipping company, which port terminals? That was not revealed publicly. However, market rumours report that Samer Seaports & Terminals and DFDS are actively working on that subject

Oct 06
0

GIUSEPPE LUCCHESI to Cotunav

By | 2022 Newsletter week 40 | No Comments

The charter of Moby Group’s roro GIUSEPPE LUCCHESI has begun. Cotunav started to operate her between Rades and Italy (12+12 months).

Moby Group, with only one roro left after all others have been successfully chartered out, is in the meanwhile looking forward to the delivery of the new ropaxes. The first is soon to be delivered by GSI SHIPYARD in China, adding freight capacity.

Sep 29
0

Attica Group: a new giant with 45 ferries

By | 2022 Newsletter week 39 | No Comments

The merger of ANEK with Attica Group will lead to the formation of a new shipping giant in Greece. It will operate 45 ferries on all the main Greece and Italy lines.

With the specific agreement a significant write-off of the ANEK’s’ debts by EUR 156,4 million was decided. Attica Group will only pay EUR 80 million from the total of EUR 236,4 million.

After the completion of the agreement, which is expected by March 2023, Attica group will control four companies in Greece: Superfast Ferries, Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways and ANEK Lines.

Attica Group also operates in the Western Mediterranean with a 49% stake in Africa Morocco Line.

May 13
2

FS Italiane’s Fleet Renewal Plan Revealed For The Strait Of Messina

By | 2021 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

A document published by the Italian transport ministry and focused on cost and opportunities to build up a new bridge on the Strait of Messina, revealed some interesting news about the fleet renewal program soon to be launched by Ferrovie dello Stato group which owns some roro and ropax ships trough RFI and BluJet companies.

  • Refitting and hybridization of the 2013-built ferry MESSINA
  • Delivery of the new ship IGINIA scheduled for next September and currently under construction at San Giorgio Shipyard in Genoa (she will replace the ferry VILLA)
  • Purchase of a new ship before 2025
  • Cold ironing system ashore in the ports on the two sides of the Strait of Messina
  • Project to buy three high-speed vessels dual-fuel LNG or Electric for passenger transport service