GRIMALDI LINES
“Landing” in Patras - Igoumenitsa by a new
motorway of the sea

FEB, 16.2009
 

BY ● Eustace Kayalès

Grimaldi Lines, of the Grimaldi group (Naples), which controls the Greek Minoan Lines, will inaugurate a new motorway of the sea, the first that will connect Italy (Alto Tirreno, Sicilia) and Greece, added in the itinerary of the 9 new lines, recently announced by the company (MARITIMEnet.EU, 21 January, 2009). From February 20 will call the ports of Genova and Catania, directly with Patras and Igoumenitsa.

According to Grimaldi Lines, the new line will connect Northern Italy and the biggest island of Mediterranean (Sicily) with Balkan, for Ro-Ro marine transportations, and via Patras will cover the Greek capital and the central - southern Greece, while via Igoumenitsa will be served the Northern Greece, Turkey.

• The new line also will upgrade the European gate of Igoumenitsa andthe strategic importance of Egnatia Road, against the alternative road networks (Paraegnatia, etc.) and Turkey, supporting for a long term the direct connection of Adriatic Sea (Trieste), with Constantinople and Asia Minor beach.

ITINERARY

The company will deploy the ro-ro vessel “Eurocargo Napoli” (1,940 linear metres garage), with a carrying capacity of 260 vehicles and will leave each Friday at 21.00 from Genova, Sundays at 11 am from Catania, each Monday at 11 am from Patras and each Tuesday at 13.00 from Igoumenitsa.

• Emanuele Grimaldi, CEO, declared that the new motorway of the sea will provide important economic and environmental advantages.