The Grimaldi fleet will be strengthened with the addition of the new Euroferry Malta, a ro-ro passenger ferry that will sail between Malta, Catania, Salerno and Genoa.

Euroferry Malta is 175 metres long, travels at 19.3 knots and can take 150 trailers or up to 650 containers (20 TEU), 400 cars and passengers.

Reports in the Italian media said the ship, a twin of Eurocargo Napoli, which sails the Salerno – Valencia route, will be operated by the new company Malta Motorways of the Sea at costs equivalent or even lower to those operated by Sea Malta, despite the increase in fuel prices and the newer and larger ships used.

Grimaldi employs 3,000 employees and serves 100 ports in 40 countries, carrying 1.5 million cars, nd 400,000 containers in 53 ships of which 30 are new.

Meanwhile, other reports in the Italian media said there is anger in Catania at a recent government decision to minimise the importance of the port there, due to a recent Cabinet decision, which did not include Catania among the 12 ports of national importance. It was pointed out that this will reduce Catania’s importance in connections to Malta and Africa.