Minoan Lines has boosted its Adriatic service linking the Greek ports of Patras and Igoumenitsa with Ancona on the Italian side with the addition of a second giant ro-pax ferry chartered from its parent Grimaldi Group (Naples) . Just delivered from Fincantieri's yard, the 54,310 gt Cruise Olympia is a sistership to Cruise Europa , which was delivered to Minoan last October. The two ferries are the third and fourth units in a series of four vessels built for Grimaldi, which are said to be the largest operating in the Mediterranean.

According to Minoan chief executive Antonis Maniadakis, the ships "will benefit not only tourism but also the Italian and Greek economies." The new vessel has capacity for up to 3,000 passengers, 3,000 lane metres for trucks and commercial vehicles, and 250 cars. According to the company, the ship has class society Rina's Green Star for environmental operation and fuel efficiency.

Source Lloyd's List