Capu Rossu

In December 2022, Corsica Linea, successor to the former SNCM, takes delivery of its first new ship. Delivered by the Visentini shipyards, the new A Galeotta represents a major step forward in the company's development.^[1] In addition to being the Corsican shipping company's first new build, and notably the first to be deployed to Corsica since 2011, it is also the first vessel serving the island to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), in line with Corsica Linea's commitment to decarbonizing its fleet.^[2] It is in this context that the possibility of commissioning a second LNG-powered vessel is being considered. At the time of the order for A Galeotta, in July 2019 the company initially planned to place an order for a sister ship to the same shipyard before 2021,^[3] however, the project never materialized due to the Covid-19 crisis, which occurred in the meantime, and its impact on traffic. Still keen to add a second LNG-powered vessel to its fleet despite the circumstances, Corsica Linea ultimately decided to equip its fleet with an E-Flexer class ferry. Designed by the Swedish shipowner Stena and the naval architecture firm Deltamarine, this series of ships, all built in China by the China Merchants Jinling (CMJL) shipyards, sharing a common appearance and characteristics, already equips the fleets of several shipowners worldwide, notably that of the Breton company Brittany Ferries, which had three of them at the time of the negotiations between Stena and Corsica Linea.^[4] The mass production of these ships also allows for a relatively short delivery time that Visentini, with its single slipway and order book, could not have guaranteed. The construction and charter contracts for the thirteenth ship of the E-Flexer class were thus signed on December 22, 2023, and the official announcement of the order was made a few days later, on January 8, 2024.^{[5] [6]}

The future ferry is a 203-meter-long E-Flexer-class vessel, approximately ten meters shorter than the standard version, with a capacity of 1,035 passengers and 2,500 linear meters of roll-on/roll-off space.^[6] While its overall appearance is similar to other ships in the series, the interior layout is determined by Corsica Linea.^[7] Thus, the ship's common areas, comprising a bar, restaurant, and snack bar, will occupy a single deck, as will the cabins, mostly grouped on a single level. Compared to A Galeotta , the passenger and vehicle capacity is increased, while the trailer capacity is reduced. Its propulsion system is very similar to that of its predecessor, notably featuring partial LNG propulsion.^[8]

On September 11, 2024, the first steel plate for the future ship was cut in the workshops of the CMJL shipyard in Weihai.^[9] A ceremony was held to mark the occasion, and the ship's name was revealed: it would be christened Capu Rossu, after a natural site located in the Gulf of Porto, Corsica. A few months later, on February 12, 2025, the first block, onto which a commemorative coin bearing the image of Corsica minted in 2011 was welded, was laid on the slipway.^{[10] [11] [12]} The ship was then launched on June 30, and enters the finishing and outfitting phase.^{[13] [14]} After carrying out its sea trials from 16 to 19 January 2026, the Capu Rossu is delivered to Stena Roro on 26 March and immediately bareboat chartered to Corsica Linea.^{[15] [16]}

On April 4, 2026, at approximately 6:00 PM, the Capu Rossu departed Weihai and began its long voyage from China to the Mediterranean. For over two months, the ship crossed the South China Sea, then the Indian Ocean, and rounded Africa via the Cape of Good Hope to avoid any problems that a risky passage through the Red Sea might cause. During its journey, it made several stops to refuel: first in Singapore from April 11 to 16, in Sri Lanka on April 20, in Mauritius on April 26, in Namibia on May 3, in the Canary Islands on May 14, and finally, in Gibraltar on May 17. After traveling nearly 16,800 nautical miles, the Capu Rossu arrived in France for the first time on the morning of May 20th and docked at 9:20 am at berth 26 in the port of Marseille, greeted upon arrival by horn blasts from the A Galeotta , the Capu di Muru , the Vizzavona , and the Paglia Orba.^[17] Two days later, on May 22nd, the ship was registered in France, and the Cypriot flag of convenience it had flown during the voyage was lowered in favor of the French first-register flag, like the rest of the fleet.

On June 11, 2026, the Capu Rossu was inaugurated in the port of Marseille, where local elected officials, state representatives, partners, economic stakeholders, and crew members were invited.^[18] At 7:05 p.m. that same day, the ship departed Marseille for the first time, bound for Corsica, where it was to hold its second day of inaugurations in Ajaccio. It arrived the following day at 7:55 a.m., after taking several minutes to dock in order to test the port infrastructure. During this day, the ship was blessed and presented to the guests. Numerous media outlets were also invited, including Corse-Matin, whose captain presented the ship and its features.^[19] The Capu Rossu then departed again in the evening for Marseille.

On June 15, 2026, at approximately 6:30 PM, the Capu Rossu made its first commercial crossing from Marseille to Corsica, bound for Ajaccio. It arrived the following morning at 7:00 AM.^[20]

The Capu Rossu consists of comfortable facilities, all located on deck 7. The ship has an à la carte restaurant with 318 seats at the front, a lounge bar with 321 seats in the center and a snack bar with 172 seats at the rear on the starboard side.^[21]

In addition to these facilities, the Capu Rossu has a children's playroom and an arcade located near the snack bar. At the front of deck 7, near the à la carte restaurant, is a conference room . Finally, outdoor relaxation areas are available on deck 10.^[22]

The Capu Rossu comprises 234 private cabins, mostly located on deck 8, but also aft on deck 7 on the port side and aft on deck 9. Among them, 20 are luxury cabins, either interior or exterior, accommodating 2 or 4 passengers, and 6 are adapted for people with reduced mobility . A 76-seat lounge is also located aft on deck 7.^[22]