Following a first case with the MOBY ZAZA concluded at the end of July, the Italian transport ministry had recently published a pair of announcements inviting ferry companies to propose ro-pax units capable of hosting aboard migrants set to be quarantined upon arrival off the Italian coasts from North Africa.
The first expression of interest invitation was set to expire on July 29, while the second on August 7. The value of each contract exceeds EUR 3.3 million until mid-October (thus for two months).
Both the vessels found come from GNV fleet. The first ‘tender’ was won by GNV AZZURRA which, with over 500 cabins, is already deployed off the cost of Sicily and on the routes to and from Lampedusa Island.
The second ship is the seasoned ferry AURELIA (also belonging to a company within the MSC group) which can offer almost 300 cabins.