March 26, 2020

La Meridionale-controlled ferry GIROLATA sailed back from the port of Termini Imerese to Marseilles because the time charter was put in off hire by Grandi Navi Veloci due to the Coronavirus emergency, Ferry Shipping News understood.

In Italy all the passenger services with the islands were closed by the Government and the roro and ropax ships are allowed to operate just for transporting cargo. Furthermore, as from March 25, only essential cargoes can be distributed.

MSC-controlled Grandi Navi Veloci chartered-in the ferry GIROLATA from La Meridionale from January to the end of September 2020, with an option for extending the contract for further three months. The companies agreed for a deck & engine and full catering charter for the ship deployed on the Civitavecchia – Termini Imerese maritime link. Once the emergency will be overcome the ferry should go back to serve the same link in Italy (in two months).