The port of Valletta has hosted a christening ceremony of the ‘Eco Malta’, the latest ro-ro vessel delivered to the Grimaldi Group, sixth of 12 hybrid ships belonging to the GG5G (Grimaldi Green 5th Generation) class and ordered by the company from the Chinese Jinling shipyard in Nanjing.
Eco Malta is considered one of the largest and most eco-friendly ro-ro ships in the world. With a capacity of over 500 trailers, CO2 emissions are halved compared to the previous generation of ro-ro ships operated by the Grimaldi Group, and reduced to zero while at berth. During port stays, GG5G-class ships use the electrical energy stored by lithium batteries with a total power of 5MWh, which are recharged during navigation by shaft generators and 350 m2 of solar panels. They are equipped with electronically-controlled engines and an exhaust gas cleaning system for the abatement of sulphur and particulate emissions.
Eco Malta has joined her sister vessel Eco Catania on the connections between Ravenna, Brindisi, Catania and between Genoa and Malta.
Grimaldi Group Executive Manager Eugenio Grimaldi said: “Being here today in Malta for this special occasion, to name the largest and most sustainable ship in the world, is a source of great pride for us after having served the country for over sixty years. This marks an important milestone for the maritime and transport industry locally as well as in the whole Mediterranean”.
Grimaldi’s long-standing presence in Malta has translated into the country’s regular and efficient connection to an extensive, global network that today counts over 140 ports worldwide. The ties with the archipelago have further strengthened in 2005 with the foundation of Malta Motorways of the Sea (MMOS), a subsidiary shipping company which currently runs, in cooperation with the Grimaldi Group, a regular service between Malta and mainland Italy (Genoa, Livorno, Salerno and Catania) under a Public Service Obligation contract with the Maltese Government, thus guaranteeing the shipment of basic necessities to the country. The MMOS fleet is made up of Maltese-flagged vessels.
With a view of promoting maritime education in Malta, MMOS has a permanent cooperation agreement with MCAST – Maritime Institute for the training of sea cadets onboard its vessels. Hundreds of young Maltese cadets have received training so far, many of whom have also been hired by Grimaldi Group companies.
