Vago (MSC): «The ETS taxation system is a source of competitive distortions»

It is called Gnv Orion, a new generation ferry and was officially christened in the port of Genoa, after being delivered to the shipowner last April in China, by the Guangzhou shipyard international. It is the 26th ferry of Gnv, a company of the MSC group and, at the time of the christening - celebrated by an exceptional godmother, the swimming champion Federica Pellegrini - it was moored next to the sister ship Polaris. Orion, in fact, is the second unit delivered to the shipping company, as part of the modernization and strengthening plan of the entire fleet, which includes the arrival of six additional new new generation ferries (these all powered by LNG) by 2030.

The purpose of the operation was revealed, in no uncertain terms, by Matteo Catani, CEO of Gnv. «The objective - he underlined - is to position ourselves as leaders in the ferry sector in the Mediterranean. To be recognized not only for what we do but above all for the vision that inspires us».

"Orion and Polaris - added Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of GNV - are the first decisive step in an important fleet renewal program, for a total of eight new units, which required over one billion euros of investments. In the space of five years, a significant part of the fleet will be entirely renewed, with the addition of approximately 60% of tonnage. This is a significant figure, which confirms MSC's strong commitment not only to GNV, but to the entire Italian transport system; of which shipping represents a very important backbone, also for connections with other countries".

Vago recalled the figure of Aldo Grimaldi, founder of Gnv in 1992, but then took stock of more “political” issues. “Moving goods and people by sea,” he said, “helps reduce environmental emissions from road transport. As well as decongesting roads from heavy vehicles. It also helps reduce the costs and general complexity of the Italian logistics system. For this reason, it is necessary to review the current configuration of the ETS system (of EU taxation, ed. ), a source of significant competitive distortions that undermine its very purposes. The fact that it is applied to the maritime sector, but not yet to road transport, generates cost differentials that are not understood and accepted by the client. Thus pushing, all things being equal, to return to the road.”

Then, addressing the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Edorado Rixi, who was present at the ceremony, he highlighted «the important work he has been doing for years for our sector» but, he remarked, «we are a little worried about the delay in appointing the presidents of the Port System Authorities. We need competent people, capable of facing the challenges of a world that is experiencing a very delicate phase».