The Grimaldi Group has taken delivery of the Eco Napoli, the final vessel in its Grimaldi Green 5th Generation (GG5G) class.
Built at the Jinling shipyard in Nanjing, China, this marks the completion of the world’s largest and most eco-friendly ro-ro fleet for short-sea shipping.
The Italian-flagged Eco Napoli measures 238 meters in length, with a 34-meter beam, a gross tonnage of 67,311 tonnes, and a service speed of 20.8 knots. Compared to previous ro-ro vessels in the Grimaldi fleet, it offers double the cargo capacity across its seven decks—two of which are hoistable—accommodating up to 7,800 linear meters of rolling freight, equivalent to 500 trailers and 180 cars.
Despite its increased capacity, the Eco Napoli maintains the same fuel consumption as its predecessors due to advanced technological innovations that enhance efficiency. As a result, CO2 emissions per transported unit are cut in half.
The vessel is powered by electronically controlled engines and features an exhaust gas cleaning system to minimize sulphur and particulate emissions. Additionally, during port stays, it achieves zero emissions by running on mega lithium batteries (5 MWh total capacity), which recharge during sailing using shaft generators and 350 m² of solar panels.
Expected to arrive in the Mediterranean in early May, the Eco Napoli will transport 7,800 linear meters of rolling cargo—including cars, vans, trucks, and agricultural machinery—reinforcing Grimaldi’s ro-ro connections between Gemlik, Ambarli, Patras, and Trieste.
“With the arrival of the Eco Napoli, the GG5G fleet is finally complete: fourteen hybrid ro-ro units, with a total value exceeding one billion dollars, which in recent years have revolutionized short-sea transport in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe,” mentioned Emanuele Grimaldi, Managing Director of the Naples-based group.
