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GNV strengthens Morocco-Europe maritime connectivity with new LNG-powered vessels
via Le Matin7 min read
GNV inaugurated its newest vessel, the GNV Aurora, in Tanger Ville on June 1, 2026, marking a significant investment in strengthening maritime links between Morocco, Spain, and Italy. This event, attended by Moroccan Minister of Transport and Logistics Abdessamad Kayouh, Moroccan Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts Fatim-Zahra Ammor, and Italian Ambassador Pasquale Salzano, highlighted GNV's strategy to deploy two new LNG-powered ships, the GNV Aurora and GNV Virgo, exclusively on these routes. The GNV Aurora will operate on the Tanger Med-Barcelona-Genoa route from early June, followed by the GNV Virgo from July 1. Barcelona will serve as a transit hub, and Genoa will handle LNG bunkering. The investment for these two vessels totals 360 million euros, part of a 1.3 billion euro fleet renewal program by 2030, which includes eight ships. Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive President of MSC Group's Cruise Division and President of GNV, emphasized Morocco's strategic importance for the company's Mediterranean network. The GNV Aurora, built in China, is the second LNG-powered vessel in GNV's fleet, featuring a capacity for 1,700 passengers and 2,780 linear meters of cargo. It adheres to IMO Tier III environmental standards, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 50% compared to older ferries. Matteo Catani, GNV's General Manager, stated that this technological choice reflects the company's commitment to safety, environmental sustainability, operational efficiency, and travel experience qualit
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