GNV Completes Phase One Fleet Renewal with Delivery of LNG-Powered Aurora

Genoa, Italy | January 29, 2026 -At the Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) in China, Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), a subsidiary of the MSC Group, has taken delivery of the GNV Aurora. As the second LNG-powered unit in the fleet and the final vessel of GNV’s first fleet renewal phase, the Aurora cements the company’s transition toward a more sustainable maritime infrastructure.

The traditional handover ceremony was attended by representatives of the GSI shipyard and the MSC Group, alongside a GNV delegation led by Franco Domenico Fabrizio, General Counsel – Head of Legal Claims & Insurance Department. The ship was officially welcomed by its godmother, Gina Giusto, Head of Retail at GNV.

“GNV Aurora, the fleet’s second LNG-powered ship, has been delivered and will enter service in April on the Genoa–Palermo route. The vessel is cold ironing ready and reduces CO2 emissions by up to 50% per load, reinforcing GNV’s commitment to sustainable shipping.“

Strategic Deployment: The Genoa–Palermo Axis

The GNV Aurora is scheduled to enter active service at the beginning of April 2026. It will be deployed on the vital Genoa–Palermo route, a move GNV says will “strengthen the national network and support more efficient management of traffic flows.“

The vessel features the updated GNV branding, characterized by a green leaf and a stylized power plug icon, signaling the company’s “green” pivot.

Decarbonizing the “Motorways of the Sea”

As the second LNG-powered unit in the fleet, the GNV Aurora is a cornerstone of GNV’s strategy to shift freight from road to sea while drastically reducing the environmental impact of its Mediterranean routes.

• Emissions Profile: The vessel utilizes Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to achieve a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions per transportable unit compared to older fleet members.
• Port Sustainability: Equipped for Cold Ironing, the ship can eliminate local emissions (NOx, SOx, and particulates) and noise by connecting to shoreside electricity while docked in urban ports like Genoa and Palermo.
• Regulatory Compliance: The ship is fitted with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and waste heat recovery systems, ensuring full compliance with IMO Tier III and EEDI Phase II standards.

Technical Specifications & Capacity

The GNV Aurora maintains the high-efficiency design of the Virgo class, optimized for the high-traffic Sicily trade.

Phase Two and the 2030 Vision: The 71,000 GT Era

While the delivery of the GNV Aurora closes the first chapter of fleet renewal, GNV’s modernization is far from over. The company has already confirmed a second phase involving four additional LNG-powered vessels slated for delivery starting in late 2027.

These next-generation ships will be even larger, with a projected:

• Increased Size: 71,300 GT (up from 52,300 GT).
• Enhanced Capacity: 2,500 passengers and 3,500 linear meters of garage space.
• Strategic Goal: Reaching a total of eight new LNG-ready units by 2030 to modernize the “Motorways of the Sea” infrastructure.

About GNV: Grandi Navi Veloci

Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV) is a leading European ferry company and a prominent member of the MSC Group. GNV operates an extensive network of maritime connections, serving as a critical transportation link for passengers, vehicles, and freight across the Mediterranean.

Network and Destinations

GNV operates on a robust network of 33 maritime routes connecting key destinations across Southern Europe and North Africa.

The company’s routes link Italy (including the islands of Sardinia and Sicily), Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Spain, France, Albania, and Malta.

• Key Italian Ports: Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples, Palermo, Termini Imerese, Olbia, and Porto Torres.
• International Ports: Barcelona, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Mahón, Almería, Tunis, Tangier, Algiers, Bejaia, Nador, Sète, Bari, Durrës, and Malta.

Source: GNV – Grandi Navi Veloci