The MSC Euribia is not the only Grimaldi's vessel in the area. The car carrier Grande Torino is also anchored off Abu Dhabi, and the tugboat Saraceno Primo is operating in the port of Duqm 

SHIPPING ITALY's reconstruction indicates that at least two Italian-flagged ships are currently in the war-risk zone of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, another foreign cruise ship, the Maltese-flagged and Swiss-owned MSC Euribia, had thousands of Italians on board until a few hours ago. It is owned by MSC Crociere.

MSC Cruises recently released a statement thanking the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Crisis Unit, the Italian Ambassador to Abu Dhabi, Lorenzo Fanara, the Consul General in Dubai, Edoardo Napoli, ENAC, and all the other institutions and individuals involved in the repatriation of Italian guests aboard the MSC Euribia in Dubai. The statement expressed gratitude for their fruitful collaboration and great work. The company announced that all Italian guests will be repatriated by Friday, March 6, with the exception of 13 passengers who are expected to return by Sunday.

On the topic of Italian vessels,

On the topic of Italian vessels, the Grande Torino, (IMO 9782675, MMSI 247379500)  a car carrier operated by the Grimaldi Group of Naples, is currently in the Persian Gulf. The ship reportedly docked in the port of Shuwaikh in Kuwait a few days ago and is now anchored off the coast of Abu Dhabi, awaiting instructions. According to the Grimaldi Group's headquarters in Naples, the ship "is at anchor awaiting the completion of commercial operations." The company adds that it is "monitoring the overall situation to then decide how to proceed with regard to our connections to the Persian Gulf area."

The Grande Torino

The Grande Torino entered service in 2018 and is currently deployed on routes between Asia and Europe. It is the first of seven sister ships that the Grimaldi Group commissioned about a decade ago from the Yangfan Shipyard in Zhoushan, China. It is 199.90 meters long, 36.45 meters wide, and has a gross tonnage of 65,255 tons. Its cruising speed is 19 knots. The ship can carry approximately 7,600 car equivalent units (CEUs), or 5,400 linear meters of rolling cargo and 2,737 CEUs

The Saraceno Primo

The Saraceno Primo,(IMO 9764477, MMSI 249548000 - sailing under the flag of Malta ) a tugboat owned by the Cafimar Group of Naples, is also in the war zone, at risk due to potential attacks involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. According to the company, the tugboat is chartered to operate in the port of Duqm in Oman. "The tugboat is not currently experiencing any issues. During the attacks on the Omani port reported by all media outlets, it was far from the impact zone. However, the alert level is maximum," they say. The company is fully involved in managing the emergency and is constantly monitoring the situation. The tugboat is ready to leave the area immediately should the escalation of events make it necessary, while continuing to operate.

Sticking with the topic of vessels controlled or operated by Italian interests, shipowner Paolo d'Amico announced this week that he has "only one vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, but it is outside and in a safe position."

Studying how to reorganize the fleet's operations

Ignazio Messina, the CEO of the eponymous Genoese shipping company that has historically been active in shipping to and from the Persian Gulf, Italy, and the rest of the Mediterranean, confirms that none of their ships have been or are currently in the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began. "We are studying how to reorganize the fleet's operations hourly, including managing all insurance issues that arise with war risks. Insurance companies are requesting 'close protection,' meaning military escorts while sailing in high-risk areas. For now, we are continuing to transit our ships via the Suez Canal, thanks to the support of the Italian Navy's Aspides mission."

Ignazio Messina & C. is studying a reorganization of the logistics chain 

Ignazio Messina & C. is studying a reorganization of the logistics chain for cargo destined for Dubai. This includes unloading containers in Jeddah and transferring them to third-party feeder services to reach the port of Khawr Fakkan. From there, the cargo will continue by road to Dubai. "Currently, we have chosen not to directly call at ports overlooking the Gulf of Oman, such as Fujairah, with our ships to ensure the safety of our crews," concludes the Genoese shipowner.

Related : The Inter-Ministerial Committee for Maritime Transport Safety met in Rome, Italy, to discuss the war in Iran.

Source : Shipping Italy 

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