Adria Ferries launches AF Mia: a new travel philosophy

"With a length of approximately 200 meters, a maximum speed of 25 knots, passenger capacity of over 1,600 people, equipped with 240 cabins, 3 bars, self-service, a restaurant, onboard shops, lounge areas, and much more: these are the characteristics of Adria Ferries' latest investment, which expands its fleet. The company, leader in the maritime transport on the Italy-Albania route and approaching its twentieth anniversary, announces an important step forward, further signaling a concrete commitment to providing high-quality services to passengers.

The acquisition of the ship from Grimaldi Euromed S.p.A. was finalized on October 2nd, 2023, in Naples. The old Cruise Smeralda will be renamed "AF Mia" and has been delivered to Ancona, the company's main base. Malta Shipbrokers International LTD facilitated the negotiation and completion of the transaction between the parties. The purchase of the ship was financed through the contribution of equity by the shareholders Navium S.r.l. and Eagle 1 S.r.l., with the support of a group of banks, including Crédit Agricole Italia S.p.A., BPER Banca S.p.A., and Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A., coordinated by Crédit Agricole Italia S.p.A. as the lead bank.

Adria Ferries was assisted by the E. Morace & CO. Law Firm in Naples, while the Watson Farley & Williams Law Firm acted as the legal advisor to the banking institutions. "Our travel philosophy is evolving. This investment represents a significant step in our commitment to offering passengers cutting-edge transportation solutions while also being in line with our concern for the sea, our natural habitat. The AF Mia, which has all the characteristics of a Cruise Ferry, embodies values that are indispensable to us, such as sustainability, quality, efficiency, and safety, and we are excited to introduce it into our fleet. We will continue to invest in innovative resources and technologies to best meet market needs," says Alberto Rossi. "With 'Mia,' the journey becomes an experience, and passengers are not just customers but guests ready to embark on a vacation that begins onboard."

Furthermore, with a focus on "green travel" and in order to contribute concretely to the preservation of natural resources, the new entry is already equipped with a scrubber system for emissions reduction and has undergone reblading interventions to improve fuel efficiency. And precisely because the vacation begins onboard, the company has planned entertainment activities for both adults and children, in addition to a strictly Made in Italy dining service. With AF Mia, Adria Ferries reaffirms its commitment to continue its path of growth and continuous improvement of quality standards and to positively contribute to the future of the industry, confident that the new ship will not only meet passengers' needs but also represent a sign of enthusiasm for the future."