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More new freight / passenger routes for Grimaldi Lines. In the 2nd half of April the Naples-based Group announces a further improvement of its existing links from Genoa and Civitavecchia to Sicily. All this, after the opening up, last 14th April, of a new weekly pure freight service between Genoa, Tunis and Tripoli (Libya).
Genoa / Tunis / Tripoli
The new Genoa / Tunis / Tripoli service is the first ever carrying trucks, trailers and any other rolling cargo directly from Genoa to Tripoli in less than 3 days. Thanks to this new service, commercial exchanges between the two North African Countries and Central Europe become easier and more economically convenient.
As a proof of the great potential of the new service, Grimaldi Lines deployed on it the m/v “Finlandia” which has an intake capacity of 2,200 linear metres of rolling cargo (trucks and trailers) and 200 cars. The ferry has a 17-knot speed and can load special cargo units weighing up to 130 tonnes. Departures from Genoa will be on Monday at 24:00 hours and arrival in Tunis on Wednesday at 07:00 hours. Arrival in Tripoli is set to be on Thursday at 11:00 hours.
Civitavecchia / Catania
Starting from 28th April, the introduction of the new ferry “Catania” will upgrade the freight/passenger Civitavecchia-Catania service in both directions from 3 to 5 weekly departures, one of which being exclusively devoted to freight transport. The m/v “Catania” has an intake capacity of 2,230 linear metres and 160 cars, while with its 93 cabins and 64 seats she can accommodate up to 830 passengers.
On the whole, the service improvement will greatly benefit the Sicilian industry: with Grimaldi Lines, freight transporters can now rely on 5 weekly departures, allowing a fast and reliable link with the Centre and North of Italy, avoiding all dangers and road congestion on the Salerno/Reggio Calabria motorway. Tourist flows will also benefit from the upgraded service: passengers can now count on 4 weekly departures against the single one operated before.
Departures from Civitavecchia will be operated every day except Thursday and Sunday. From Catania Grimaldi vessels will sail every day, except on Wednesday and Sunday. Transit time between the two ports will be 18 hours. Much credit for the enhancement of the service shall be given to the Port Autority of Catania andthe Port Captain’s Office for their concrete efforts in achieving such result.
Genoa / Catania
As from the 25th of April, Grimaldi Lines will increase the intake capacity on the three-times-aweek Genoa-Catania service. This will be made possible by deploying the ro/pax ferry “Finnhansa”, a vessel able to carry 3,200 linear metres of trucks, cars and trailers as well as 114 passengers.
Emanuele Grimaldi, co-managing director of the Grimaldi Group, declared: “With the doubling of the Civitavecchia-Catania line and the launch of the Genoa-Tunis-Tripoli service, Grimaldi lines prove once more their efforts to boost trade exchanges in this period of crisis. Strengthening the Motorways of the Sea as well as all links with the Southern shores of the Mediterranean gives an opportunity for Italian companies to enter new markets with an economically convenient, fast and environmentally friendly way of transportation."
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
