On 29 April 2025, the Athena, a new hybrid-powered ro-ro ferry operated by Bluferries, part of the logistics division of the Italian State Railways group, arrived at the Sicilian port of Messina. From there, it will begin operations ferrying vehicles and passengers across the Strait, with capacity for up to 22 articulated lorries (or 125 cars) and 393 passengers. The vessel measures 105 metres in length and 18 metres in width, with two separate decks to accommodate vehicles and foot passengers. Particular attention has been given to ensuring accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
Launched in July 2024 at the port of Piraeus in Greece, Athena stands out for its innovative diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system. Its batteries, which recharge during navigation, enable the ferry to operate solely on electric power during port approaches, loading and unloading. According to Bluferries, this technology achieves a 56 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to the company’s older vessels, and a 13 per cent reduction compared to its non-hybrid sister ships Trinacria and Sikania. The main engines are also designed to run on fuel blends containing up to 20 per cent biodiesel. The vessel is equipped with solar panels that generate 25 kilowatts of energy for onboard services, and a freshwater production system that reduces water consumption by over 70 per cent.
Athena is currently being registered with maritime authorities and is scheduled to enter service in summer 2025. It will join the ro-ro vessels Enotria, Fata Morgana, Trinacria and Sikania, all designed for the transport of heavy and light vehicles, and in some cases, rail freight. In line with FS group’s strategic goals, Bluferries has launched a fleet renewal programme aimed at gradually replacing its oldest vessels, such as the Riace, which is already being phased out, with new-generation hybrid ferries.
