Ships in continuity between Cagliari and Civitavecchia: an offer on the table of the Ministry

Grimaldi Euromed Spa is the only company that has presented an offer for coverage of the Cagliari-Arbatax-Civitavecchia section (and vice versa) under the maritime territorial continuity regime. The tender had been called in March by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport led by Matteo Salvini: only one envelope arrived on the May 5 deadline, with a technical and economic proposal.

The government has put 42,427,621 euros on the plate. The shipowner who has guaranteed coverage of the route so far wants to continue with just under 27 million. On 17 May the proposal was accepted, the members of the commission were appointed in recent days and the award should arrive shortly.

Thus the danger that the race would go deserted, as the Undersecretary for Transport, Tullio Ferrante had feared in January, was averted. Responding to a question from the Cagliari deputy Francesca Ghirra, she said: "The route is considered scarcely profitable by the shipowners because it is characterized by very high costs and conditioned by the competition exerted by other lines".

The specifications provide that the journey is made at night. It will have to last a maximum of 13 hours if the connection is direct between Cagliari and Civitavecchia. While from the port of Lazio to that of Arbatax 9 hours are required, to which another 5 will be added to reach the capital. The frequency of connections with the capital must be at least three times a week, «with at least two intermediate landings in Arbatax spaced out by at least two days».

Residents will pay a maximum of 41 euros for an external double cabin and 39 for an internal one. The seat will cost 26 euros and the bridge 25.