Ferry Breaks Free from Moorings Amid Strong Winds in Porto Torres
On February 11, 2026, the ferry ‘Athara’ broke free from its moorings at the Porto Torres port in Sardinia due to powerful mistral winds, which reached gusts of over 100 kilometers per hour. The incident occurred at the western quay when the mooring lines snapped. The local Coast Guard and two tugboats promptly responded to the situation, escorting the ferry safely out of the harbor. The operation was overseen by the Porto Torres port authority to ensure the vessel’s safety during challenging weather conditions.
Following the breakaway, the ‘Athara’ remained anchored in a secure location until the weather improved. Conditions stabilized by February 13 at around 7 a.m. UTC, allowing for a safe return to normal operations. This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of maritime conditions and the importance of swift emergency responses from local authorities.
Former Moby Ferries to Be Renamed Under New Ownership
In a recent development, MSC-owned GNV has announced new names for the last two of five former Moby ferries that have been transferred to the MSC Group. The ‘Moby Ale Due’ will now be known as ‘GNV Pegasus’, while the ‘Athara’ will sail under the new name ‘GNV Phoenix’. This follows the earlier renaming of the ‘Janas’ to ‘GNV Altair’. Notably, the other two ferries involved in this transaction, the ‘Moby Wonder‘ and ‘Moby Aki’, will retain their names as they are being chartered back to Moby.
This decision comes as GNV prepares to integrate these vessels into its fleet, marking a significant shift in the operational landscape of ferry services in the region. The transition signifies MSC’s continued investment in the maritime sector and its commitment to enhancing ferry services across the Mediterranean.
Operation begins to free ship run aground in St. Lawrence River near Montreal
Auction Set for Five Ferries Amid Competition Concerns
Under the directive of the Court of Milan, five ferries, including ‘Moby Aki’, ‘Moby Wonder’, ‘Moby Ale Due’, ‘Athara’, and ‘Janas’, are scheduled to be auctioned next week. The starting price for the entire lot is set at €229.9 million. The ‘Moby Aki’ and ‘Moby Wonder’ are required to be chartered back to Moby for 15 years at a daily rate of €15,000 (approximately $17,200).
This auction follows a ruling from the Italian Competition and Market Authority (AGCM), which expressed concerns about competition due to MSC’s stake in the ferry operator. MSC previously acquired a minority stake in Moby in 2022 during its financial struggles. However, the AGCM opened an investigation in November 2024 regarding potential competition issues, prompting MSC to sell its stake back to Onorato Armatori, the original owner. This decision was made to preserve fair competition, particularly on routes where GNV and Moby operate concurrently.
