A ‘made in Sicily’ Ropax ferry that will transport passengers between Sicily and the islands of Lampedusa and Pantelleria will be built by Italian vessel builder Fincantieri.
The ferry will run on a dual fuel engine of diesel and LNG, and solar panels will charge a battery pack so it can run on electricity while in port. The vessel will be 140m in length, weigh 14,500gt and have a top speed of 19 knots. It will have capacity for 1,000 people and 200 cars.
It will also be equipped with stabilisers similar to those on oil platforms, so it can dock even in adverse weather conditions.
The Sicilian Region will own the €120 million vessel, which president of the region Renato Schifani called ‘a turning point for connections with Sicily’s smaller islands’.
“We will improve the quality and safety standards of naval transport for Lampedusa and Pantelleria, with a modern ship that also guarantees great attention to respect for the environment,” Schifani said. “We are giving a concrete response to residents and those who need to reach the islands for business or tourism.
“I also express particular satisfaction with the fact that the new unit will be entirely built in Palermo shipyards.”
Fincantieri managing director and CEO Pierroberto Folgiero said Italian shipyards should start clawing back business from Asia.
“The awarding of this order represents an important test for Fincantieri,” he said. “In an industrial sector that has over time moved to Asian shipyards, we have the opportunity to bring ferry production back to Italy, rehabilitate our historical competencies in the sector, and demonstrate our ability to be competitive while ensuring the highest production standards.”
The contract was signed at the Palazzo d’Orleans, and all parties said the new vessel would be built entirely in the Palermo shipyard on Sicily, to be delivered in 2026.
