Italian shipping company GNV embarks on its first voyage from Tangier
- Tribute to Morocco with the call of the GNV Orion in Tangier
- Italian investments consolidate strategic partnership with Morocco
- Operation Marhaba, an annual bridge of cooperation
GNV, a subsidiary of the MSC Group, organised a special event on 27 May 2025 in Tangier to present the new GNV Orion from China and the company's future vision, with aspirations to integrate its new ships into Moroccan commercial cruise lines.
GNV is an Italian company founded in 1992 and is one of the leading shipping companies operating in the passenger and freight transport sector. With a fleet of 26 ships, the company operates 33 routes in eight countries, connecting Italy (Sardinia and Sicily), Spain (the Balearic Islands), France, Albania, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Malta.
The LNG-powered GNV Orion is a modern ship powered by conventional fuels but equipped with advanced technologies that reduce emissions by more than 30% per unit transported compared to previous units.
Tribute to Morocco with the call of the GNV Orion in Tangier
The symbolic call of the new GNV Orion ship in the port of Tangier City pays tribute to Morocco as a strategic partner and second market after Italy. This call marked the ship's arrival in the Mediterranean region, after leaving the shipyard in China on 30 April.
Before arriving in Italy, where it will be fully equipped to enter service at the end of June, the ship made a symbolic stopover in the port of Tangier to mark the launch of Operation Marhaba 2025 (from 5 June to 15 September) and underline the strong relationship between the two countries.
‘The choice of GNV to strengthen Italy's industrial and logistical presence in Morocco is fully in line with the priorities of the Matei Plan for Africa and with our efforts. Morocco is today one of the main markets for many Italian companies investing in high value-added sectors such as infrastructure, sustainable mobility, integrated logistics and renewable energy,’ said GNV CEO Matteo Cattani.
Another area of focus for Morocco is the activation, in terms of human resources, of the partnership between the Higher Institute of Maritime Studies and the Merchant Navy Academy of Genoa to employ more specialised Moroccan personnel on board Italian ships.
In this regard, Armando Barrocco, Italian Ambassador to Morocco, stated that ‘the call of the GNV Orion in Tangier is highly symbolic and highlights the strategic importance that GNV attaches to the Kingdom of Morocco.’
This dynamic initiative highlights the economic relations between Italy and Morocco, based on long-standing cooperation and a shared vision of sustainable development.
Italian investments consolidate strategic partnership with Morocco
In recent weeks, GNV has announced an order for four new LNG-powered ships which, together with the ships currently under construction, will enable the company to increase its fleet by eight new units between 2025 and 2030.
In this vein, Matteo Cattani announced new and significant investments in Morocco, mentioning the possible future supply and intended use of these newly ordered ships in Moroccan trade.
‘GNV is carrying out a major fleet renewal plan, an initiative that aims to boost the maritime sector through advanced technologies and sustainable solutions,’ added Cattani.
According to him, the aim of the new ships is to optimise comprehensive services in response to growing market challenges, renewing and setting new goals for the entire sector.
‘By improving the onboard travel experience and focusing on safety, sustainability, comfort and technology, we aim to strengthen our role and be recognised as a leading manufacturer of mega-ships designed for passenger safety and environmental sustainability,’ emphasised Matteo Cattani.
The CEO of GNV also stressed that ‘Morocco deserves these exceptional investments and innovations’. He added: ‘Six new LNG-powered ships will be added to the fleet. The first two ships, NGV Virgo and NGV Aurora, currently under construction at the GSI shipyards, will be operational by the end of the year with a reduction in CO2 emissions of more than 50% compared to the previous generation.’
The other four ships, scheduled to enter service in 2028, will be the largest and most sustainable in the Mediterranean, with more than 500 cabins, up to 2,500 passengers and more than 3,500 linear metres of garage space. This important operation gives new impetus to the transition to more sustainable models, which GNV has already adopted and firmly believes in, considering them an essential lever for both competitiveness and the territories it connects.
Cattani concluded by saying: ‘We have continued to invest in Morocco, and this year we are demonstrating this once again by dedicating two of our renovated and digitalised ships - the Fantastic and the Excelsior - to Moroccan trade. We will continue along this path with determination and, if conditions allow, we will assign the necessary new ships to the Moroccan lines’.
Operation Marhaba, an annual bridge of cooperation
The event organised by GNV highlighted the importance of Operation Marhaba, to which the Italian company has contributed significantly for several years, ensuring essential maritime links for millions of Moroccan citizens living abroad, including more than 400,000 in Italy.
This human dimension, which directly connects Italian and Moroccan societies, is a fundamental pillar of cooperation between the two countries. In fact, the new investments announced are being made in a spirit of constructive partnership, contributing to inclusive, sustainable and mutually beneficial growth.
Morocco is an important market for the company, which has been operating in the North African country's ports for more than fifteen years. In 2024, GNV carried around 455,000 passengers on Moroccan routes alone, and this year the company aims to improve this figure significantly.
GNV is currently the leading maritime transport company in the Mediterranean in terms of available beds, the feature most requested by the Moroccan public, and the second in terms of vehicle and cargo storage capacity. It is precisely these characteristics that have enabled the company to strengthen its presence in Morocco.
Mohammed Kabbaj, the company's partner in Morocco, emphasised that ‘in recent years, GNV has already invested in two new structures in Morocco, a commercial and administrative office in Tangier and a ticket sales and operations management office in the port of Nador, and the company intends to strengthen its role as a strategic and reliable partner in the country by continuing along this path’.
‘We work closely with the Merchant Navy and the Mohammed V Foundation on a daily basis, which is always present in our ports and on board our ships, to ensure the success of the Great Marhaba Operation, which this year will involve more than 3 million Moroccan citizens from all over the world travelling during the summer between their country of residence and their country of origin,’ added Kabbaj.
Regarding the new services, Carol Montarsolo, commercial director of GNV in Morocco, explained: ‘This year we have decided to operate the first two smart ships in our fleet on Moroccan routes. With an investment of several million euros, these two ships have undergone a structural renovation of their on-board services, supported by a wide range of digital technologies to improve the passenger experience.’
‘We have been working with Moroccan chefs for many years to offer rich and varied culinary experiences. This year, we are proud to present our new menus, which harmoniously combine Moroccan and Italian Mediterranean flavours. We have also improved the on-board infrastructure with the best possible internet network to optimise connectivity throughout the ship, with the aim of offering a high-quality service to our passengers’, concluded Montarsolo.
