In the port of Igoumenitsa, which from 2023 - following the privatization of the Greek port of call - is managed by the Italian shipping group Grimaldi ( of 20 October 2023), work began last month on modernisation of the T3 passenger terminal which will be completed in end of September. The interventions include the installation of a 1.5 MWp photovoltaic plant, producing three million kWh per year and reduces emissions of CO2, and LED relamping, which allows an annual saving of energy for lighting greater than 50%, while it is the installation of charging stations for the electric vehicles and an On Shore Power Supply system (cold ironing) for the supply of electricity from shore for the ships.

The right wing of the terminal will be dedicated to the two million passengers who travel to and from Corfu and other passengers every year islands of the Ionian Sea, while the left one will host the cruise terminal, with an Extra Schengen area with dedicated services to passengers from non-EU countries.

Meanwhile, yesterday in Shanghai the Neapolitan shipping group took delivery of Greater Auckland, second of seven units PCTC (Pure Car & Truck Carrier) commissioned to SWS shipyards (Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Company Limited) and CSTC (China Shipbuilding Trading Company Limited), two companies that are part of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC) group.

With its 200 meters in length, 38 meters in width and a gross tonnage of about 77,500 tons, Greater Auckland is The Vehicle Truck has been designed for the transport of vehicles - cars, SUVs, vans, both electric and fuelled by traditional fuels - as well as other types of rolling stock. The ship offers a capacity of A load of 9,241 CEU (Car Equivalent Unit) and has four bridges also used for the transport of large rolling goods dimensions, including heavy loads of up to 250 tonnes and with a maximum height of 6.5 meters.

Greater Auckland will make its own journey on the Asia-Europe service, on which it will remain used throughout 2025. The ship will depart from Shanghai and Lianyungang with 4,900 cars on board and 3,300 linear meters of cargo rolling stock (buses, trucks, excavators, trailers) and will call at Agadir and Tanger Med (Morocco), Vigo (Spain), Antwerp (Belgium) and Southampton (United Kingdom). From Northern Europe it will then start again at the Asia, passing through La Réunion (department French Indian Ocean), before reaching Yokohama and Toyohashi (Japan) and, finally, Masan (South Korea).

In the Grimaldi group's order book there are still 14 PCTC Ammonia Ready units, to be delivered between 2025 and 2027 and to further enhance maritime connections dedicated to the Asian market.