Valencia – The sixth edition of the GNV Awards, the annual event organized by the MSC Group’s ferry company to celebrate and strengthen its bond with commercial partners, confirm its commitment and attention to the trade sector, and award the best partner travel agencies, was held yesterday aboard the GNV Excelsior ferry docked at the port of Valencia.
The 2025 edition of the now famous event saw the participation of about 150 representatives from Italian and international travel agencies. The two-day program, as usual, included the awards ceremony for the presentation of recognitions to 18 commercial partners and the appointment of the new Élite Partners, the best travel agencies selected as part of the program of the same name launched in 2017, which guarantees them benefits from certain advantages and dedicated initiatives, in addition to the new Premium agencies.
During the evening, it was announced that the GNV Virgo, the Company’s first LNG-powered ship, will be delivered in the coming days in China to the shipowner at the Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) shipyard. The ship will then depart for Italy, where, before entering service on the Genoa-Palermo route, the Christening Ceremony is scheduled for December 11th in the port of Palermo.
The event was also an opportunity to announce that October 13, 2025 will be the sales start date for the next summer season and to present GNV’s results for the season just ended: in the June-September 2025 period, the company handled 1.7 million passengers, marking a 9% increase compared to the same period the previous year. In Italy, Sardinia confirms its status as the jewel in the crown with 6% growth in the summer period, thanks to major refitting and digitalization interventions on the ships operating on the routes to the island, which led to a significant improvement in common areas and services, ensuring an increase in the guest satisfaction index (NPS).
READ THE FULL STORY
Civitavecchia, an Operational Protocol to manage emergencies / Virus alert
Excellent results also for Sicily, which recorded a 10% increase, driven mainly by the Naples-Palermo route, the new ships, and targeted investments that have allowed the market to grow further and improve the on-board experience. On the international front, Morocco stands out with 6% growth, supported by five dedicated ships and a significant increase in Moroccan staff on board the ships (+100 resources in the last year); Tunisia recorded +8% thanks to a new direct line that improved service times and quality; finally, the start of connections in Algeria is good, confirming the potential of this new market. The Balearic Islands and Albania remained stable, recording a result in line with the previous year during the summer period.
“This summer’s results confirm that we are moving in the right direction: +9% is not just a number, but the result of concrete choices. We have invested in targeted refitting and digitalization to make the journey increasingly comfortable, convinced that ‘every moment of the journey counts’.
In Sardinia we have demonstrated it: it is possible to grow even without new ships, by focusing on service quality and rethought spaces; in Sicily, on the other hand, the arrival of new units and a more solid network have given a decisive boost to demand.
Abroad we are consolidating our positions, in Tunisia with more direct connections and in Morocco with more local staff on board which enriches the passenger experience, while we open new fronts like Algeria. The imminent arrival of the GNV Virgo, our first LNG ship, marks a concrete step towards lower emissions and greater efficiency: sustainability and competitiveness must go hand in hand. We will continue to work side by side with partners to optimize capacity and supply, improve punctuality and travel experience, and seize the opportunities of a market that remains challenging but full of potential,” stated Matteo Della Valle, Chief Commercial Officer of GNV.
READ ALL
Massa (MSC Crociere): “Ports with green infrastructure will be preferential cruise itineraries
