Having once dined and talked at length with this vessel’s namesake, the writer is sure that he would have been proud of his company’s new ferry and the eight more that will follow it into service.
She is a very modern, hybrid aluminium ferry designed to service Liberty Lines’ network of routes around Sicily and the Aeolian islands as well as from the Italian mainland to Slovenia and Croatia in the Adriatic Sea.
An impressive showcase of modern Italian styling, the 40-metre vessel is beautifully furnished and finished and, on its twin MTU main engines, achieved 33 knots on trials. She can also travel for impressive distances at up to 10 knots on electric power.
"The Vittorio Morace stands out as a pioneering vessel in maritime transportation due to its innovative hybrid propulsion system and environmentally friendly design," Ricardo Garcia, Astilleros Armon Commercial Director told Baird Maritime.
"As the world's first hybrid fast ferry of its size and category, it seamlessly integrates advanced diesel engines with electric motors, allowing for zero-emission operations in ports and reduced environmental impact during voyages.
The ferry can accommodate up to 251 passengers and achieve speeds exceeding 30 knots. Its hybrid system includes two MTU 16V4000 M65L diesel engines equipped with SCR exhaust aftertreatment systems, ensuring compliance with stringent emission standards.
Additionally, the vessel's batteries enable silent and emission-free maneuvering in harbor areas, contributing to a significant reduction in the vessel's overall environmental footprint.
"The Vittorio Morace exemplifies Liberty Lines' commitment to sustainable maritime operations, setting a new benchmark for eco-friendly high-speed passenger transport," added Garcia.
"It is the world's first fast hybrid vessel capable of fully electric port operations," Gennaro Carlo Cotella, Managing Director at Liberty Lines, told Baird Maritime. "Its advanced system allows for battery regeneration during open sea navigation and shore power connection (cold ironing), resulting in substantial emission reductions without sacrificing operational efficiency."
Cotella added that the vessel is the culmination of a 2022 collaborative effort involving the technical departments of Liberty Lines, the designer, the shipyard, the engine supplier, and the classification society.
The design team effectively reconciled these performance requirements with the provision of well-lit and spacious passenger accommodation.
The primary objective of the collaboration was to maintain an elevated service speed despite increased displacement due to battery and power unit integration, while preserving optimal seaworthiness and hydrodynamic efficiency.
"The design team effectively reconciled these performance requirements with the provision of well-lit and spacious passenger accommodation that has been well-received by our guests," said Cotella.
"Vittorio Morace is the world's first IMO HSC hybrid fast ferry of this size and is classified by RINA according to its 'Green Plus' rules. We believe this project represents a significant technological leap, exceeding the scope of existing European maritime regulations."
The Italian authorities therefore required a thorough, multi-month evaluation before granting the ferry authorisation to operate in electric mode.
"Over the past five years, our company has experienced a period of remarkable and sustained growth, effectively rebounding from the significant downturn in tourism induced by the Covid-19 pandemic," Cotella told Baird Maritime.
"This resurgence culminated in a record-breaking performance in 2024, where we achieved an exceptional 18 per cent increase in passenger volume compared to the previous year, overtaking the number of 3.5 million annual customers."
Cotella said these numbers were the result of strategic implementation of new routes as well as the diligent efforts of the Liberty Lines team.
As the company continues to expand its business in 2025, participating in new public tenders to start new routes, Liberty Lines is confident that it will not only maintain its current momentum, but also improve on the previous year's achievements.
Each shipowner will seek efficiency by testing different solutions to reduce costs and increase operational and ecological performance.
"We are very optimistic about the immediate future," Cotella replied when asked about the state of the passenger vessel industry. "We believe that mobility demands will undergo a substantial evolution instead of a decline. For example, while traditional daily commutes might adjust with increased remote work, we foresee a rise in flexible, hybrid travel.
"Additionally, we expect tourists to continue exploring the territory where Liberty Lines is the market leader, seeking experiences that prioritise authenticity and sustainability."
In Cotella's view, the economic competitiveness of Italian industries, notably those reliant on maritime transport and infrastructure, will be significantly challenged by the need to reconcile the expansion of global trade networks with the increasingly critical imperative of minimising environmental impact.
He believes it is a challenge shared with modern fleets seeking to achieve operational efficiency within stringent ecological constraints.
"Until a sort of technology becomes globally established, each shipowner will seek efficiency by testing different solutions to reduce costs and increase operational and ecological performance," Cotella told Baird Maritime.
For a list of the 2024 "Best Of" award winners, please click here.