"Work is already at an advanced stage on two distinct projects," said Grimaldi. "Our R&D department is already working on the most innovative solutions, with a clear objective: to make them the most flexible and environmentally advanced vessels in the world in their respective segments." The group has not yet given details of size, capacity or shipyard.

More than 700 delegates from shipping, transport, port management, the automotive industry and finance are attending the convention.

In his speech, Grimaldi described how the group's fleet has grown over the past 24 months. In that time it has taken delivery of 14 PCTCs, all with the "Ammonia Ready" notation, meaning they are certified for conversion to run on ammonia. "Our fleet will have some 17 of these vessels by April 2027," he said. The newest units can carry 9,800 CEU. The Shippax Database shows the last three vessels in the programme under construction at China Merchants Heavy Industry in Haimen, China.

Grimaldi is also spending USD 1.5 billion on nine RoPax newbuildings, due for delivery between 2028 and 2030. The group says the vessels will halve CO2 emissions per cargo unit compared with the ships now serving the same routes. It also says their methanol-capable engines will allow them to reach net zero emissions. The series is being built at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai). It is made up of six 229-metre vessels for the Mediterranean and three 243.6-metre Hansa Superstar-class vessels for Finnlines. Four of the Mediterranean ships are for Grimaldi Lines and two are for Minoan Lines. Each Mediterranean ship is 62,246 GT, with capacity for 2,500 passengers and 3,300 lane metres. The Finnlines ships are 69,000 GT, with 1,000 passengers and 5,100 lane metres each.

The group has also expanded its network, especially in Asia. "Despite growing geopolitical tensions and the threat of increasingly widespread trade barriers, we currently deploy 30 ships on regular services linking Asia with all other continents," said Grimaldi. He added that the group has increased its sailings to Europe and Africa, opened new routes to Latin America and Oceania, and started a new service between China and the Philippines.

In Sardinia, which is hosting this year's convention, Grimaldi has again been awarded the Naples–Cagliari–Palermo and Civitavecchia–Arbatax–Cagliari routes for five years under public service obligations. "For Sardinia, reliable and efficient sea links are absolutely vital," said Grimaldi.

The convention continues with three panel debates. They cover shipping in transition, geoeconomic and geopolitical challenges for maritime transport in the Mediterranean, and automotive seaborne trade.

© Shippax