Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has awarded local shipping company Moby a five-year public service contract for the Genova–Porto Torres ferry route.
Moby’s winning bid of approximately €24.1 million (US$27.3 million) was 29.7 per cent below the €34.3 million (US$38.8 million) tender base, a difference of €10.18 million (US$11.53 million).
The contract will run from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2031, and will cover passenger and freight transport including vehicles. Two vessels will be required to operate 243 round trips annually.
The subsidised service will cover the winter operating season, from October 1 to May 31, with daily departures in both directions. The route operates commercially in summer, outside the winter public-service arrangement.
Two operators had submitted bids by the July 1 deadline. The tender allocated 70 points to technical proposals and 30 to the economic offer, with selection based on the most economically advantageous offer.
The tender also provided for an extension of up to 36 months.
Sardinia’s regional government sought revocation of the wider maritime continuity tenders in June, saying their scope fell short of the island’s transport needs. In July, the ministry defended the framework, saying it reflected the review and consultation process. It also said the tenders included higher minimum passenger and freight capacities.
The previous five-year contract was awarded to Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione in 2021 and also covered October–May sailings.
The new technical specification sets annual operations at 486 one-way sailings, covering 104,004 nautical miles. Crossings must take place overnight, with departures no earlier than 19:00 and arrivals by 08:00. The maximum permitted crossing time is 11 hours.
Each of the two Ro-Pax vessels must be no more than 25 years old at the tender deadline. Each must accommodate at least 1,100 passengers, with at least 650 in fixed accommodation or seats, and provide at least 1,200 lane metres for heavy vehicles.