The ship has already made, despite the strong winds, two daily trips to and from the islands, replacing the “Pietro Novelli” originally scheduled
The ship Nerea, the green jewel of the Caronte & Tourist Isole Minori fleet, fully honors its name –”great swimmer”, inspired by the mythological Nereids – proving to be a certainty for maritime connections to the Aeolian archipelago. In over a year and a half of service, the ship has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to dock at the small island piers even in extreme weather conditions. The last significant example occurred last weekend when, despite the strong winds that marked the beginning of the winter season, Nerea guaranteed two daily connections to and from the islands, replacing the ship Pietro Novelli originally scheduled.
A choice resulting from the company’s responsible and efficient fleet management, which thus ensured continuity in the supply of goods and the mobility of residents. The merit for these performances is attributable to Nerea’s advanced hydrodynamic characteristics and, in particular, to the two 800 kW bow thrusters that allow it to dock safely even with winds up to 45 knots, together with powerful engines and a sophisticated design that enhance its agility and maneuverability. Alongside these characteristics is the impeccable technical preparation of the captains and crew who, with a great sense of responsibility, undertook the double service to guarantee the continuity of the connection.
“To respond to the legitimate requests for greater certainty of connections from the island communities, C&T Isole Minori is concretely doing its part,” underlines the CEO, Vincenzo Franza. “Nerea is not just a ship, but a model of how technology, attention to the environment, targeted investments and a long-term vision can transform maritime connections to the minor islands, guaranteeing the island communities safety, reliability and territorial continuity”
The Nerea was an investment – equal to 50 million – tailored to the needs of the Aeolian island community. Nerea today represents a milestone for the modernization of shipping in Italy and a modern model of an island ferry for the Mediterranean, as recognized last April by the judges who awarded it during the prestigious Shippax Awards.
“The new ships under construction and in the design phase – such as the ferry Costanza I di Sicilia – are already following the innovative paradigm developed by Caronte & Tourist,” adds Franza. “We like to share the know-how acquired over these years because we firmly believe that targeted investments and a communion of intent will bring to the islands a break with the past in maritime connections and an unprecedented evolution for the years to come”.
Among the distinctive elements of Nerea are its exceptional eco-compatibility and environmental sustainability. The /LNG and battery propulsion system, the innovative use of photovoltaic panels and silicone-based paints for the hull, together with a state-of-the-art energy management system, have in fact allowed for a significant reduction in environmental impact, with a 45% cut in CO2 emissions.
