COSTANZA I DI SICILIA © Gruppo Caronte & Tourist

COSTANZA I DI SICILIA inaugurated, enters service on Pelagie Islands route

FerryCOSTANZA I DI SICILIA has been inaugurated, with the ferry completing its first commercial crossing on 9 August 2026 on the newly established route between Porto Empedocle and the Pelagie Islands, including Lampedusa. The vessel is owned by the Regione Siciliana and has been entrusted to Caronte & Tourist Isole Minori for its day-to-day operation and management.

COSTANZA I DI SICILIA was built by Fincantieri at a contract value of EUR 114.6 million. She measures 138.40 metres in length with a beam of 25.00 metres, and has a gross tonnage of 14,500 GT.

Propulsion is provided by dual-fuel LNG engines and a photovoltaic system combined with a battery pack that enables the vessel to remain in port with zero emissions for up to four hours.

Onboard capacity includes 962 passengers and 336 beds, while the vehicle deck offers space for 200 cars.

The new service is intended to strengthen connections between Sicily and its smaller island communities, an area where modern, reliable tonnage has been in short supply.

The Regione Siciliana has stated its intention to exercise an option for an additional ferry, suggesting further investment in the route and fleet in the coming period.

The project involved the Regione Siciliana, Fincantieri and Caronte & Tourist Isole Minori, together with the wider group of professionals who contributed to the vessel's design, construction and entry into service.

aug 10 2026