After crossing the Straits of Messina, our company has firmly established itself as a leader in Mediterranean transport services. With the inauguration of the Messina - Salerno route of Autostrade d'Amare, Caronte & Tourist has become a key reference for maritime connections between central and southern Italy.
Driven by a constant desire for modernization, we are continuously exploring cutting-edge solutions to address the evolving dynamics of the maritime transport market.
Proud of our history, our maritime journey is marked by significant achievements and new milestones.
A notable example is 1999, the year in which the M/V Vestfold (now Telepass) entered service. This double-deck vessel, with its superior cargo capacity and speed, represented a significant advancement over previous ships.
2001 marked a turning point for us with the opening of the Messina - Salerno route, served by the state-of-the-art Cartour vessel, which completes the journey in approximately seven and a half hours.
The safety of our passengers has always been at the core of our operations. In 2010, the management of our three ports of call was supported by a control tower that directs incoming and outgoing traffic across all involved ports (Messina Rada San Francesco, Messina Tremestieri, and Villa San Giovanni). This marked the first use of cutting-edge control systems, such as RFID tickets and electronic check-in at boarding. These technologies enable our staff to manage the flow of goods with utmost precision, ensuring maximum security during boarding and disembarkation procedures.
In 2013, we introduced our online ticket sales service for the Messina - Villa San Giovanni route.
In recent years, Telepass has offered its expertise and infrastructure at a port terminal for the first time. Starting in 2015, passengers crossing the Strait of Messina could finally purchase tickets without leaving their cars or paying at the time of the journey.
Looking to the future, we are committed to sustainable transport. This vision is now being realized with the launch of Elio, the first ferry in the Mediterranean to operate on LNG (liquefied natural gas), a fuel with an extremely low environmental impact. LNG reduces CO2 emissions by 40%, NOx emissions by 90%, and eliminates 100% of PM10 and SOx emissions. Although LNG is a hydrocarbon, it contains neither sulfur oxides nor particulates.
A genuinely eco-friendly vessel, Elio had its handover ceremony on November 17, 2018, representing a historic turning point as the use of clean fuels in maritime transport becomes a reality.
In November 2024, payment options will expand further with the activation of UnipolMove devices in lanes dedicated to electronic toll services.