The market verification by the Campania Region, within the scope of the “planning procedure for regional maritime connection services and the awarding of minimum maritime connection services between and with the islands of Ischia, Procida and Capri, via ships and fast units,” will conclude just before Christmas.
This is learned from the relevant notice published by the regional agency Acamir, commissioned by the resolution of the Campania Region last September, which simultaneously extended the existing contract with Caremar until the end of 2026: “After having verified the public service needs represented by the various stakeholders involved in the consultation phases (Local Administrations, representative associations of users and economic categories and the users themselves, user questionnaires from service users, etc.), a project for a maritime connection network of territorial continuity with the islands of Ischia, Procida and Capri has been developed, capable of responding to the public service needs represented by the various stakeholders.”
The services defined as “minimum” (those currently under agreement with Caremar, even though the Campania Region subsidizes other types of connections, so-called “authorized services” which would now be included within the scope of this procedure) have been divided by Acamir into two areas (Ischia-Procida and Capri), aiming for an enhancement, in terms of nautical miles traveled, exceeding 47% (see image on page). The report accompanying the notice details routes and frequencies and sets the minimum offer in terms of fleet (2 ferries and 2 fast units for Capri, 5 and 3 for Ischia-Procida), in addition to providing information on the demand research conducted.
By December 19, shipping companies will be able to communicate to Acamir any interest “in operating the maritime connections for territorial continuity as described in the network project, without financial compensation and in compliance with the operating conditions specified in the attached documents.” Based on this, in 2026, any regional subsidies will be defined and put out to tender.
