Gnv has announced the entry into its fleet of Gnv Altair, bringing the total number of vessels operated by the Gruppo Msc ferry company to 27. The move was unveiled in Genoa on 15 January 2026 and forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen the company’s operational and commercial capacity, with a particular focus on the Mediterranean basin and, more specifically, the Algerian market.
The vessel will enter service on 21 February 2026 and will be deployed on routes between the French port of Sète and the Algerian destinations of Béjaia and Algiers. The operational schedule provides for two weekly rotations, one to each port, with the aim of consolidating Gnv’s presence in an area regarded as strategic and marked by evolving demand in both passenger and freight traffic.
Built in 2002 and previously operated within the Moby group fleet, Gnv Altair is designed for mixed passenger and freight services. The ship is 214 metres long and 26 metres wide, with a gross tonnage of 35,736 tonnes. Its maximum speed of 24 knots helps ensure competitive crossing times on medium- and long-distance routes in the western Mediterranean. The vessel can accommodate up to 2,700 passengers across 319 cabins and offers 915 linear metres of ro-ro cargo capacity.
Ahead of the start of commercial operations, Gnv Altair will undergo targeted refitting work to bring the vessel into line with the company’s quality and operational standards. The upgrades will focus on both the passenger travel experience and overall ship efficiency, in keeping with Gnv’s strategy of progressive fleet modernisation.
