The Grimaldi Cruise Roma sailed for the maiden voyage after the lengthening works. Thanks to it and to the solid partnership with Grimaldi Lines, today, our company is able to guarantee the highest capacity and sustainability in the logistics of goods in the Mediterranean Sea. From the port of Civitavecchia, the ferry that just underwent the lengthening operation sailed to Barcelona. This has opened a new phase for our company, which will allow us to move an increasing number of goods, with an increasingly reduced environmental impact.

The extension of the Grimaldi Cruise Roma

The extension operations of the Cruise Roma were carried out at the shipyards of Fincantieri Palermo. After the completion of the sections to be added – an operation completed as early as 2018 – the Grimaldi ferry was completely divided into two parts. The ship, which was originally 225 metres long, was brought to a total length of 254 metres. The tonnage has also been increased: from the original 54 thousand tons it has been increased to 63 thousand. Thanks to the new 29-metre-long section, the Grimaldi Cruise Roma will be able to accommodate around 450 more people. As far as heavy vehicles are concerned, the ship will be able to offer about 660 linear metres more, bringing the space intended for the transport of goods up to 3,700 linear metres.

Lengthening the ships

Fincantieri is now highly specialised in this area. Cruise Roma was carried out in the Palermo basin, where, once the basin had dried up, it was placed on high-strength trolleys. Once definitively positioned, all the electrical cables and ducts that run through the hull were interrupted and the boat was cut by laser cutting. Once the cutting phases had been completed, the two sections of the ship were moved using the trolleys. The new section, also placed on the same trolleys, was then placed in position. At this point, all the surfaces and bridges were welded together and all the electrical pipes and cables were reconnected.

The technological innovations of Cruise Roma

Also from a technological point of view, considerable innovations have been made to the Cruise Roma. In particular, with regard to technologies aimed at reducing environmental impact and energy saving. In fact, four scrubbers have been installed on the ship for the purification of exhaust gases. Thanks to these scrubbers it has been possible to reduce sulphur emissions by up to 0.1% by mass – five times better than what is required by IMO 2020 – and particulate matter by 80%. In addition to this, a lithium battery pack was installed, capable of storing up to 5 MWh. Thanks to this, during the stops in the port, the ship will be able to power the plants without putting into operation the diesel-generators. This will achieve the company’s goal of reducing emissions in port.

The evolution of motorways of the sea

The project to extend the Cruise Roma, which Smet Logistics immediately embraced as a result of its partnership with Grimaldi Lines, is proceeding in the direction of the motorways of the sea. A new strategy of goods handling, which allows goods to be moved by sea instead of by road. Smet, which has been working towards sustainable transport for a long time, has welcomed the shipowner’s strategy. In this way, thanks to our liquid natural gas-powered vehicles and Grimaldi’s transports, our customers will be able to enjoy a very low environmental impact.

After the Cruise Roma has been extended, the twin of the Cruise Barcelona will also be subjected to the extension operations. In this way, the two ships will be able to carry more passengers and goods, but at the same time reduce pollutant emissions. This will also help Grimaldi to achieve its ambitious target for 2019. That is to say, to move a total of 5 million passengers, one million more than in 2018.