A new green ship for connections in the Strait of Messina. From today Athena comes into service, the latest arrival of the Bluferries fleet, a company of FS Logistix, the company of the FS Group (led by AD STEFANO ANTONIO DONNARUMMA), active in maritime transport between Sicily and Calabria.
“The arrival of Athena in the Bluferries house is a further stage of the modernization plan of the FS Logistix fleet, in line with our ambitious strategic plan to be increasingly protagonists of the evolution of the business and the future of freight transport and logistics” – said Sabrina De Filippis, to FS Logistix. “We are investing important resources to guarantee an offer more attentive to current market needs and, above all, Green. A concrete goal in terms of innovation, sustainability and efficiency in the service of industry and the territory, demonstrating an increasingly marked development of connections with naval intermodality”.
“Today is an important day for the Bluferries family” – said Giuseppe Sciumè, CEO of Bluferries. “The entry into service of Athena represents a decisive step in the renewal of our assets, to guarantee increasingly efficient connections even in view of an intense period such as that of August. The new ship also allows us to put an increasingly green and modern fleet in water, testifying to our commitment towards environmental protection”.
With a name that evokes the Greek goddess of wisdom, the arts, of the strategic war and protector of Athens, the new ship, which arrived in April in the port of the city of the Strait, is now operational to offer increasing services for the transport of passengers and goods between Messina and Villa San Giovanni in this summer 2025. Already active since last July 4, the Bluferries connections between Villa San Giovanni and the historic port, which are flanked by the traditional coats Tremestieri, in the south area of Messina.
Athena has a hybrid propulsion for a reduction in CO2 emissions of 56% compared to the most old ships of the fleet and 13% compared to the twin ships that are not hybrid Trinacria and Sikania, thanks to the “zero emissions” technology during the approaching operations in port, loading and unloading, through the use of electric motors only, whose batteries are loaded during the navigation phase. Equipped with solar panels that provide 25kw of energy for the power supply of the ship accommodation services, Athena has further qualitative environmental parameters: the main engines, for example they are able to function with diesel mixture with biodiesel up to 20% and there is a plant for the production of fresh water, with the consequent reduction in water consumption above 70%
The new ship is the result of an investment of 26 million euros, partly financed with the funds of the national investment plan complementary to the PNRR.
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.