GNV (Groupe MSC) renforces its strategic commitment to Morocco by allocating to the country the two newest and most technologically advanced ships in its fleet, the GNV Aurora and the GNV Virgo, both powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), thereby supporting the adoption of transition fuels such as bio-LNG and synthetic LNG. This decision, linked to the baptism ceremony of the GNV Aurora in Tangier, confirms the central role of intra-Mediterranean connections in the company’s development strategy and the growing importance of the North African market within the GNV network.
In nearly twenty years of activity in Morocco, GNV has carried around 6 million passengers, thereby strengthening a lasting link with the country and with Moroccan communities residing in Europe. In 2025, the company carried more than 465,000 passengers on its Moroccan routes, confirming Morocco as a strategic market of reference within the GNV network.
GNV Aurora and GNV Virgo will be operational respectively from June 1 and July 1 of this year on the Tangier Med, Barcelona and Genoa routes. The Catalan capital will play the role of a transit hub for the entire network linking Morocco, Spain and Italy, while Genoa will be the main LNG bunkering port for the two units, with fueling on average every 4 to 5 days.
With this fleet deployment, GNV is preparing for the 2026 summer season and supporting passenger flows related to the Marhaba operation, which each year from June to mid-September mobilizes more than three million Moroccan citizens residing in Europe to travel to and from their country of origin.
Parallèlement, la compagnie renforce son rôle dans le soutien aux échanges commerciaux entre l’Italie et le Maroc via le port de Tanger Med, principal hub logistique d’Afrique du Nord et porte d’entrée stratégique vers le continent africain. Une infrastructure de plus en plus centrale pour les entreprises et les chaînes de valeur opérant entre les deux rives de la Méditerranée.
Cette dynamique s’inscrit également dans la perspective de 2030, lorsque le Maroc co-organisera avec l’Espagne et le Portugal la Coupe du Monde FIFA, un évènement qui accélèrera ultérieurement les flux touristiques et la demande de mobilité entre l’Europe et l’Afrique du Nord.
Against this backdrop, today at the Port of Tangier Ville, the baptism ceremony of the GNV Aurora was held, the second LNG-powered unit and part of a fleet renewal program through 2030 valued at €1.3 billion (almost 14 billion dirhams), comprising four additional ships to be delivered starting in 2027.
During the event, which gathered more than 500 guests, speakers included Matteo Catani, CEO of GNV, Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division and Chairman of GNV, Abdessamad Kayouh, Minister of Transport and Logistics of the Kingdom of Morocco, Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Minister of Tourism and Crafts of the Kingdom of Morocco, and Pasquale Salzano, Ambassador of Italy to Morocco.
“Our long-standing presence in Morocco has developed steadily over the years, founded on close cooperation and mutual trust.
The christening of the GNV Aurora in Tangier marks a concrete new step in our durable partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco. Located at the crossroads of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, the country holds strategic importance for strengthening the power of our Mediterranean network. We intend to continue supporting the Kingdom’s strategic vision in maritime connectivity, trade development, and tourism,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division and Chairman of GNV.
“GNV Aurora concretely represents the direction we have chosen for the company’s future: to invest in technologies capable of balancing safety, environmental sustainability, operational efficiency, and the quality of the travel experience. LNG propulsion enables a significant reduction in emissions compared to previous generations of ships, while systems like cold ironing help reduce environmental impact in ports, for the benefit of local communities. Technological innovation and sustainability are integrated into a trajectory that allows us to raise the standards of comfort, reliability, and service continuity for our passengers. We are building a fleet capable of supporting and accelerating the energy transition, in line with the strictest international safety and sustainability standards and with the decarbonization goals of the maritime sector. Morocco represents for GNV an increasingly central market in our Mediterranean development strategy,” said Matteo Catani, CEO of GNV.
“Our presence in the Kingdom is also measured in concrete numbers: about 250 Moroccan nationals among seafarers and onshore teams, who contribute daily to strengthening the ties between Europe and North Africa and to making GNV a firmly rooted operator in the territory.
The Kingdom of Morocco is undergoing a significant transformation of its infrastructure and development, and GNV believes it can actively contribute to this development as a reliable long-term partner. We are seeing a continued growth in European tourism interest in Morocco: each year, nearly 500,000 passengers choose our ships to reach the country or to discover it,” added Matteo Catani.
“Twenty years of presence in the Kingdom of Morocco cannot be built in a day. They are the result of a daily commitment based on patience, listening, and deep respect for the institutions and the country’s expectations. GNV’s growth in Morocco is the result of close and constant collaboration with Moroccan authorities, and a sincere alignment with the strategic vision carried by His Majesty the King: modern, sustainable maritime mobility that respects the environment.
GNV does not wish to be merely an operator on the Moroccan market: it aims to be a true partner of the Kingdom, actively contributing to the development of maritime links, mobility, and tourism in the Mediterranean, placing at the heart of its priorities Moroccans living abroad and the quality of their travel experience,” said Mohammed Kabbaj, GNV’s longtime partner in Morocco.
“With the entry into service of GNV Aurora and GNV Virgo, we concretely strengthen the quality of the onboard experience, with a clear objective: to make travel a true part of the vacation, especially for families. This is reflected in contemporary environments, innovative technologies, dedicated spaces for children, and a structured program of activities, enriched this year by a collaboration with Pixar. We have also chosen to further highlight the “Made in Morocco,” by expanding our onboard souk with local crafts and by incorporating more regional products into our dining offering. New partnerships will soon further enhance this proposition.
This approach primarily addresses the expectations of Moroccans residing in Europe, while supporting the growth of tourist traffic and European business travel. Through these investments, GNV reaffirms its commitment to strengthening its territorial footprint and to supporting the development of maritime mobility in the Mediterranean,” said Carole Montarsolo, General Manager of GNV Morocco.
For its part, the Italian Ambassador to Morocco Pasquale Salzano stated: “Coinciding with the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic, the inauguration of GNV Aurora offers a tangible image of the depth of the relations between Italy and Morocco. By linking Genoa and Tangier, two cities that have built their history by looking to the sea, this new ship will bring people, families, and businesses on the two shores of the Mediterranean even closer.”
GNV Aurora: environmental sustainability and premium travel experience
GNV Aurora is the second LNG-powered unit in the GNV fleet and the latest of the first generation of four new-generation ships ordered from Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) in China. The ship represents a new milestone in the fleet renewal program aimed at balancing technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and service quality.
With a gross tonnage of around 53,000 tonnes, a length of 218 meters, and a maximum speed of 25 knots, GNV Aurora can accommodate up to 1,700 passengers in 426 cabins and carry up to 2,780 linear meters of freight.
On board, passengers benefit from a modern and comfortable range of services, including an à la carte restaurant, self-service, snack-bar, shopping area, children’s zones and high-speed Wi-Fi.
With GNV Aurora, a new visual identity also appears on the most innovative units of the fleet: a green leaf, symbol of the sustainability journey undertaken by the company, accompanied by a graphic motif inspired by the electrical connection of cold ironing, a technology allowing ships to connect to the on-shore power supply to reduce emissions and environmental impact on local communities.
The LNG propulsion and significant improvements in energy efficiency enable CO₂ emissions reductions of up to 50% per transport unit compared with previous ferry generations, with substantial reductions also in nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx) and fine particulates. The vessel complies with IMO Tier III standards, among the strictest internationally in environmental terms.
Among onboard solutions are also advanced energy efficiency systems, including waste heat recovery for electricity generation, low-energy LED lighting, variable speed drives to optimize electrical loads of pumps and ventilation, as well as innovative hydrodynamic solutions for the hull, propellers and rudders, designed to reduce consumption and improve the vessel’s operational efficiency.
Source : Press Release
