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Tag: Public Consultation | 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.

Jun 18
0

Public Consultation Launched In Italy Over Territorial Sea-Land Continuity Towards Main Islands

By | 2020 Newsletter week 25 | No Comments

Italy’s transport ministry announced to have launched a public consultation on passenger and freight transport services to and from the main islands (Sardinia, Sicily and Tremiti) for the definition of public service requirements. The notice is addressed to consumer, cargo user, business associations and stakeholders in general.

“This Ministry is in the process of investigating the conditions necessary to ensure the territorial continuity service relating to the service of transport of passengers and goods with the major and minor islands and to define any measures to be taken” is written in statement from the ministry.

“It’s necessary to proceed to consult the main associations and representative bodies of companies operating in the logistics and freight transport sectors, in order to directly acquire indications, observations and proposals in the context of the investigation aimed at ensuring the best possible organization of the services in question, taking into account all the interests involved” it’s also reported. The deadline for submitting comments is June 25.

Public subsidies granted to Tirrenia – Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione (Onorato Armatori group) should expire on next July 18, but the Italian government recently decided to extend them for a maximum of 12 months.