From next month, the Grimaldi Group will launch a new a new direct service between Europe and the US, including the Italian port of Civitavecchia and the ports of Baltimore and Halifax in the US, to transport cars and other ro-ro cargo.
The new link will be the first direct and regular service between the Mediterranean and US for vehicle transport. Four vessels are being deployed on the service and each have a total loading capacity of 25,000 vehicles. The transit time between Italy and North America will be 13 days.
The vessels will call at Gemlik (Turkey), Bar (Montenegro), Civitavecchia (Italy), Baltimore (US), Halifax (Canada), and back to Antwerp (Belgium).
Grimaldi will also work with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) on the link to export the Fiat 500x and Jeep Renegade models manufactured in Melfi, southern Italy. The Renegade is the first Jeep to be manufactured outside North America.
"As Italians, we are proud to contribute, through this innovative connection, to the export of "made in Italy" products and to the recovery of the automotive sector in Italy," said Gianluca Grimaldi, president of the Grimaldi Group.
The port of Civitavecchia is connected directly or through transshipment to more than 120 ports served by Grimaldi across the Mediterranean, northern Europe, North and South America, and West Africa. Therefore, it will be important for both intra-European and intercontinental traffic.
