Moby and Ichnusa Lines will jointly operate the public service obligation connections between Santa Teresa di Gallura and Bonifacio also in the upcoming winter season and in the following months, that is, until 31 October 2026.
The two companies – which worked ‘side by side’ on the route until last 31 October – have in fact obtained, as the only ones to come forward, the relevant authorizations issued by the Regione Sardegna as part of a procedure launched last July which introduced some novelties compared to the framework followed up to that point.
With the aim of ensuring “gradually greater certainty and regularity”, the authority had in fact started a process aimed at covering a period of 12 months (plus another 12 for extension), providing for compensation only for the November-March period and imposing the ‘clause’ that only the companies that had performed the service in winter could also operate it in the more profitable summer season. Another central objective of the procedure, according to the hopes of the Regione, was to be able to ensure the presence of two ro-pax ships on the line (instead of just one), which will happen, at least during the next summer season.
In detail, according to the joint plan drawn up by Moby and Genova Trasporti Marittimi (which operates through the commercial brand Ichnusa Lines) and approved by the Regione, the two companies will share the route’s sailings in a nearly equal manner (unlike what happened, for example, in this past summer season). In the winter months in particular, Moby will perform 608, receiving compensation of 448,953 euros, while Gtm will operate 600, for a fee of 443,046 euros. The former will continue to use the Bunifazziu (the former Toremar Liburna), which recently entered service, while Ichnusa Lines will still use the ferry Ichnusa.
It is also worth noting that the plan presented by Moby and Gtm provides for the winter season to be ‘split’ in half between the two companies. The first will in fact cover (with 4 pairs of daily sailings) the period from 1 November to 15 January 2026, while the second will take over (with the same service frequency) in the period from 16 January to 1 April. Only subsequently, and until 31 October, the Bunifazziu and the Ichnusa will operate together, performing a total of 6 pairs of daily sailings in the summer season (with an increase on holidays), which will rise to 7 in the peak season period, that is, from 16 August to 13 September. Also with a view to ensuring continuity of connections, Gtm and Moby have also committed to guaranteeing 4 pairs of daily sailings between 7 am and 8 pm even if one of the two is forced to interrupt the service.
F.M.
