GRIMALDI BOOSTS ITS LIVORNO-PALERMO MARITIME CONNECTION

With a second ro/pax vessel, the frequency of the link between both ports becomes daily

Naples, 14th September 2020: The Grimaldi Group boosts its freight and passenger transport connections between Central Italy and Sicily thanks to the introduction of additional tonnage. As from tomorrow 15th September, the Company will deploy an additional ro/pax ship between the ports of Livorno and Palermo and double the frequency of departures, thus guaranteeing a daily service.

The additional ship deployed on the route will be the ro/pax Cruise Smeralda, which can carry 2,000 linear meters of rolling freight (vans, trucks, trailers, special vehicles), about 1,500 passengers and 100 accompanying cars. The unit will join the ro/pax Zeus Palace, currently deployed on the line, whose loading capacity is 2,000 linear meters, about 1,700 passengers and 100 cars.

Both ferries have cosy internal and external cabins, superior cabins, pet cabins and cabins for RMP, all with air conditioning and en suite facilities, as well as a lounge with comfortable reclining seats. Other services on board both ships include a self-service and an à la carte restaurant, different bars, an outdoor swimming pool with solarium, a slot machine room and a play area for children.

The arrival of the Cruise Smeralda will allow the Grimaldi Group to offer daily departures in both directions, thus meeting the needs of customers – both passengers and transport companies – on a primary route between the ports of Livorno and Palermo. Departures from both the Tuscan and Sicilian ports will take place in the late evening, while the arrival at the port of destination is scheduled for the afternoon of the following day.

"With the upgrade of the Livorno-Palermo connection, the Grimaldi Group confirms its strong commitment to offering fast and efficient services to and from Sicily. A greater loading capacity and faster handling of semi-trailers will be offered to intermodal transport, in order to better meet the needs and delivery times of those companies engaged in the traffic between the port of Livorno and Sicily," says Eugenio Grimaldi, Executive Manager of the Neapolitan company. "Moreover, with the use of two ro/pax vessels, our Group aims to further support passenger traffic by offering the possibility to those traveling on the Continent-Sicily route to enjoy a safe journey on board modern, comfortable ships", concludes Eugenio Grimaldi.

S SThanks R E L toE A this S E investment, the Grimaldi Group consolidates its leadership position in freight and

passenger transport between Italy’s mainland and Sicily. The Group offers, in fact, an extensive network of short-sea connections from the Tyrrhenian ports of Genoa, Livorno, Salerno to Palermo and Catania; from the Adriatic ports of Ravenna and Brindisi to Catania.

For more information:

Grimaldi Group – External Relations: Paul Kyprianou Ph: +39081/496246; Mob: +393204076539; Email: [email protected] P R______E The Grimaldi Group, headquartered in Naples, operates a fleet of over 130 vessels and employs about 16,000 people. Wholly owned by the Grimaldi family, it is a multinational logistics Group specialised in the operation of roll-on/roll-off vessels, car carriers and ferries. It comprises six shipping companies, namely: Grimaldi Deep Sea, operating in the transport of rolling cargo and container on the Atlantic routes and between the Mediterranean and West Africa; Grimaldi Euromed, specialized in the transport of rolling freight in Europe, in the Motorways of the Sea and in the transport of passengers in the Mediterranean with the Grimaldi Lines brand; Atlantic Container Line, which offers transport services for containers and rolling cargo between North America and North Europe; Malta Motorways of the Sea, shipowning company; Minoan Lines, operating in Greek cabotage for the transport of freight and passengers; Finnlines, operating in freight and passengers transport in the North and Baltic Sea. The maritime connections are the core of an advanced logistics chain, which includes port terminals and transport companies. The 22 port terminals owned/operated by the Grimaldi Group are located in 12 countries around the world: Italy (Salerno, Monfalcone, Civitavecchia, Catania, Gioia Tauro, Savona, Palermo and Livorno), Spain (Barcelona, Valencia and Sagunto), Germany (Hamburg), Sweden (Wallhamn), Finland (Turku and Helsinki), Denmark (Esbjerg), Ireland (Cork), Belgium (Antwerp), Egypt (Alexandria), Cameroon (Douala), Nigeria (Lagos), Benin (Cotonou). Most of these terminals are fitted with Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) facilities, warehouses and workshops.