Ferry News Archive
GNV seeks to take over Tirrenia’s Sardinia link
Date: 01 Jun 2009 00:00 Source: Lloyds ListGenoa based Grandi Navi Veloci has put itself forward as a potential partner for the region of Sardinia to run ferry services
to the island once state carrier Tirrenia is privatised.
Speaking after meeting regional transport director Liliana Lorettu in Sassari, GNV managing director Ariodante Valeri said he “proposed GNV as a future manager of the Tirrenia lines serving Sardinia as part of any public-private joint venture that might succeed Tirrenia”.
The Italian government is considering its options as it looks to privatise Tirrenia before the end of the year, and GNV’s public declaration of intent is likely to prompt further jockeying for position among the private operators eager to profit from the state carrier’s demise.
The move also comes as GNV is seeking to reverse an order from the port authority of northern Sardinia to move from its long-time home in the industrial port of Porto Torres, where it expects to handle 600,000 passengers this year, to a refurbished commercial port.
Until recently, Rome had appeared to favour selling off Tirrenia en bloc to a single buyer after competitive bidding.
Recently, however, it has returned to the possibility of farming out Tirrenia’s regional companies, including Saremar, which serves Sardinia, to the regional
governments.
While the likes of Sardinia and Campania had long been open to taking over local services, others such as Tuscany were opposed. Opposition has waned, however, precisely as budget cuts in Rome have threatened to bring cuts in Tirrenia’s services to the islands.
For GNV, the meeting in Sassari was doubly useful as it seeks to bolster its position in the large and growing Sardinia market.
The company is furious at being forced to transfer from its long-time home in the industrial port in Porto Torres to the new commercial port near the heart of the city.
Mr Valeri says the port authority of northern Sardinia ordered the transfer unilaterally and without warning, and has refused to discuss the issue since.
In response, GNV has filed papers with a regional administrative court requesting the reversal of the port authority order and the restoration of its operating concession at the industrial port.
Corsica Sardinia Ferries has just won a somewhat similar case against the port authority before the same court, involving its right to load and unload its own ships.
Mr Valeri, who cites rudimentary facilities for passengers at the new terminal as well as its dangerous exposure to harsh weather conditions in the winter months, says Ms Lorettu pledged to investigate, adding that he hoped for a favourable
resolution.
Separately, on Wednesday Mr Valeri met Porto Torres transport director Giacomo Rum, and put GNV forward as a possible partner in a consortium to operate the local cruise and ferry facilities.
Though there may be sound financial reasons for an involvement, GNV’s offer is also likely to reinforce the impression locally of the company’s potential financial contribution to the area.
More Ferry News from directferries.co.uk
Date: 24 May 2012 Source: P&O Ferries
Sail across the North Sea to Europe with P&O Ferries this Summer from as little as £199 return.
Date: 18 May 2012 Source: Brittany Ferries
Travel to France this Summer with Brittany Ferries by car with an additional passenger from just £175 return or from £87.50 return if you travel by motorbike (rider and pillion).
Date: 14 May 2012 Source: Grandi Navi Veloci
Italian ferry giant Grandi Navi Veloci have opened 2 new services connecting France with Morocco.
Date: 08 May 2012 Source: Brittany Ferries
Spend up to 2 days in France from just £99 return when you travel with Brittany Ferries by car and take an additional passenger or from £49.50 if you travel by motorbike (rider and pillion).
Date: 05 May 2012 Source: Corsica Sardinia Ferries
If you're planning on travelling to Corsica, Sardinia or Elba this Summer with Corsica Sardinia Ferries then take a look at our new ship guides and find out what it's like onboard before you travel!
Date: 01 May 2012 Source: DFDS Seaways
Take your car by ferry to France with DFDS Seaways from Dover to Dunkirk or Calais from just £19 return.
Date: 01 May 2012 Source: P&O Ferries
Spend up to 5 days abroad and pay just £49 return when you travel from Dover to Calais with P&O Ferries.
Date: 30 April 2012 Source: Toremar
Italian ferry operator Toremar is now available to be booked online across the direct ferries network.
Date: 25 April 2012 Source: P&O Irish Sea
Take your car on the ferry between Scotland and Northern Ireland with P&O Ferries and take a second passenger for FREE – a saving of up to £50 on a return crossing!
Date: 18 April 2012 Source: Stena Line
Take your car on any ferry to Northern Ireland or Ireland with Stena Line and take a second passenger for FREE – a saving of up to £50 on a return crossing!