The Grimaldi Group is expanding its network of maritime highways in the Mediterranean with a new route dedicated to semi-trailers between Italy and Turkey. From September 14, 2024, a direct connection between Trieste and Ambarli, a location near Istanbul, will be operational, featuring two weekly departures from each port. The service will be managed by the hybrid Ro-Ro vessels Eco Mediterranea and Eco Malta, which belong to the innovative GG5G class. These vessels can reduce CO2 emissions per transported unit by half compared to the previous generation of Ro-Ro ships. During port operations, emissions are eliminated through the use of electricity stored in large lithium batteries, recharged during navigation via hub generators and 350 square meters of solar panels.
With a presence established in Turkey for nearly fifty years, the Grimaldi Group has continuously expanded and improved its services in the country, connecting major Turkish ports to the rest of the world through a vast global network. The new Trieste-Ambarli connection addresses the growing demand for high-quality road-sea combined transport services from major global clients, including automobile and industrial vehicle manufacturers such as BMW, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, DAF, Scania, Stellantis, Kia, and Hyundai.
The direct route between Trieste and Ambarli offers a regular transport solution between two strategically positioned ports: Trieste serves as a natural gateway not only for Northeast Italy but also for all of Central Europe, while Ambarli provides privileged access to the Istanbul area and Turkey's economic district. Furthermore, by combining the new service with other maritime connections within the Grimaldi network, Turkish companies can export their products to Spain, Greece, Malta, Tunisia, Morocco, and Northern European countries in the Baltic Sea.
Emanuele Grimaldi, Managing Director of the Grimaldi Group, stated: “With our new regular service between Trieste and Ambarli, we will strengthen the connections between Italy and Turkey, supporting the growing commercial relationships between operators in these regions. To achieve this at best, we will use Eco Mediterranea and Eco Malta: these vessels possess extraordinary features that have revolutionized short-sea shipping.”
