The Grimaldi Group is introducing two state-of-the-art hybrid vessels Eco Catania and Eco Malta on its regular Ro-Ro line between Venice, Bari and Patras.

These ships are among the largest and most eco-friendly in the world, with much higher capacity and better performances than the “Eurocargo” class ships that they will replace on the line. This is considered an important step for the sustainability and quality of freight transport between Italy and Greece.

In fact, each of the two “GG5G”-class ships can carry some 7,800 linear metres of freight, equivalent to around 500 trailers and 180 cars – twice as much as the previous class of short sea Ro-Ro ships deployed by the Grimaldi Group. However, this greater capacity does not increase fuel consumption thanks to the adoption of numerous highly innovative technological solutions that optimize the vessels’ operational and environmental performance: in fact, at the same speed, Eco Catania and Eco Malta consume the same amount of fuel as the previous generation Ro-Ro ships, meaning they can effectively halve CO₂ emissions per unit transported.

In addition, emissions are cut to zero during port operations: whilst docked, they use the electricity stored in mega lithium batteries. This reduces dockside emissions, a prerogative of the European Union.