It arrived in the port of Messina there New ship of the Bluferries fleet, company of the logistics center of the FS group, active in the maritime transport of the Strait of Messina.
“Athena, this is the new name of the last arrival at the Bluferries house, marks a significant step forward in the field of maritime technology sustainable“ said Giuseppe Sciumè, CEO of Bluferries “It is a Hybrid Ro-Ro passenger ship, characterized by a latest generation hybrid propulsion system, which testifies to our commitment to environmental protection “.
“The arrival of Athena in the Bluferries house represents a concrete goal in terms of innovation, sustainability and efficiency” Sabrina De Filippis, CEO of Mercitalia Logistics said “We have invested important resources to guarantee an offer more attentive to current market needs and, above all, to protect the environment. We continue to add new pieces to our ambitious strategic plan, protagonist of the evolution of our business and the future of freight and logistics transport”.
With a name that evokes the Greek goddess of wisdom, the arts, the strategic war and protector of Athens, Athena was launched last July in the Greek capital, and is ready to enter service between Messina and Villa San Giovanni.
The hybrid propulsion will allow a reduction in CO2 emissions by 56% compared to the most old ships of the fleet and 13% compared to the twin ships that are non -hybrid Trinacria and Sikania, thanks to the “zero emission” technology during the approach operations in port, loading and unloading, through the use of only electrical engines, whose batteries are loaded in the navigation phase through electric motors.
In addition, the solar panels on board provide 25kw of energy, fueling all the ship’s housing services. Athena has further qualitative environmental parameters, the main engines, for example they are able to work with a mixture of diesel with biodiesel up to 20% and on board there is a plant for the production of fresh water, with the consequent reduction in water consumption above 70%
The new ship, the result of an investment of 26 million euros, partly financed with the funds of the national plan of complementary investments to the PNRR, is intended to operate in the ferrying of commercial vehicles, cars, caravans, campers and motorcycles in the Strait of Messina. In the Greek port of the Piraeus, the test tests provided for by the Rina regulations, driven to Messina and the registrations in the maritime registers were carried out, Athena will enter into operation in the summer.
Technical characteristics
105 meters long and 18 wide, the Athena ship has a bridge dedicated to the transit of vehicles, one for passengers. It can carry up to 22 trucks or 125 vehicles and 393 people between travelers and crew members and guarantees the transport service for passengers with reduced mobility ensuring high quality standards with minor vibrations and greater comfort.
The Bluferries fleet
Athena is added to the naval units, Enotria, Fata Morgana, Trinacria and Sikania, designed to transport heavy and light rubberized loads, and also for the transport of railway wagons (with the Fairy Morgana ship).
Consistent with its mission of respect for environmental sustainability, and in line with the objectives provided by the FS group, the company has started a modernization plan of the fleet which provides for the replacement of the two most old ships (one of which, the Riace, already in dysming) with new hybrid propulsion ships (diesel-electric), for increasing energy efficiency and minor environmental impact.