The new Ro-Pax ferry that Fincantieri is building for the Sicily region was launched at its Palermo shipyard, a vessel with a scheduled delivery date of the boreal summer of 2026.
The launching ceremony, which marked the transition to the final construction phase, was attended by Senator Renato Schifani, President of the Sicily Region; and Pierroberto Folgiero, General Manager of Fincantieri and it was blessed by the metropolitan archbishop of Palermo, Monsignor Corrado Lorefice. The godmother of the launch was Vinzia Novara Di Gaetano.
The ferry, called Costanza I di Sicilia, built entirely at the Palermo shipyard, stands out for its technological characteristics, especially in terms of environmental sustainability.
With a length of approximately 140 meters and a gross tonnage of approximately 14,500 tons, the ship will be able to carry up to one thousand passengers and 200 cars, reaching a maximum speed of 19 knots.
Propulsion will be provided by dual-fuel engines, powered by marine diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG), the most environmentally friendly alternative currently available on a large scale, representing a fundamental step in the decarbonization process of the maritime industry, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants.
The ship will also be equipped with a photovoltaic system which, combined with a battery pack, will allow for zero-emission stays in port for approximately four hours.
“The launch of the Costanza I di Sicilia, the first ferry of the regional fleet, represents a moment of extraordinary importance for the Region. With this ship, which will permanently connect Pantelleria and Lampedusa with Porto Empedocle, Sicily reaffirms its centrality in the Mediterranean and its capacity to look to the future with vision, competence and responsibility,” said the Sicilian regional president, Renato Schifani.
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager of Fincantieri, stated that “the construction of this ship not only marks a return to production, but is an investment in the future of Italian skills and manufacturing, in a sector where people represent the most valuable resource. Palermo has a unique vocation in the Mediterranean and will be increasingly central to our Group’s strategy.”
With this project, designed to strengthen connections with the islands of Lampedusa, Linosa and Pantelleria, the Sicily Region will be the first in Italy to own a ship of this type. The contract signed between the Sicily Region and Fincantieri in 2023 also includes an option for a second unit.
