At GNV, every moment of the journey matters.

Founded in 1992, GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci SpA) is today one of the leading shipping companies in the passenger and freight transport sector. With a fleet of 26 ships and 33 routes, it connects 8 countries: Italy, Spain, France, Albania, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and Malta.

Part of the MSC Group, GNV is pursuing an ambitious growth plan, supported by a strategic vision focused on innovation, sustainability, and fleet renewal.

Alongside passenger services, GNV has historically promoted the development of the Motorways of the Sea, supporting more sustainable mobility. Maritime freight transport offers an efficient and competitive alternative to road transport, helping reduce road congestion and environmental impact, in line with the company's commitment to increasingly responsible and environmentally conscious logistics solutions.

Our History

1992: GNV is founded.

1993: the first ship of the fleet, M/n Majestic, is launched.

1999: GNV – the only one at the time among Italian shipping companies – is listed on the Stock Exchange to finance the development of its fleet, the most modern and innovative in Europe.

2003: GNV arrives in the Maghreb and inaugurates the Genoa – Tunis line.

2004: the Grimaldi family and the Private Equity funds managed by Permira reach an agreement for the further development of the company, with Permira acquiring 80% of Grandi Navi Veloci and Grimaldi Holding retaining 20%.

2006: a new shareholding structure is established; shortly before the end of the year, new partners Investitori Associati, De Agostini, Charme, and part of the management join the share capital of Grandi Navi Veloci.

2007: GNV is chosen as Best Shipping Company by travel agents, receiving the Bit Tourism Award 2007. In June, Ariodante Valeri joins the company as General Manager.

2008: the Genoa – Barcelona – Tangier line is inaugurated, starting connections with Morocco. The same year, an ad hoc service for pet owners is developed and offered to passengers on board the ships La Superba, La Suprema, Fantastic, Excellent, and Majestic.

2009: the Grimaldi family permanently leaves the shareholding structure and management of GNV.
The shareholding is divided into Investitori Associati (67.1%), IDeA Co-Investment Fund (20.1%), Charme (9.2%), management (2.1%), other shareholders (1.5%).

2010: Roberto Martinoli becomes CEO of GNV.

2011: on May 2, the Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting of GNV approves a capital increase reserved for Marinvest Srl, which is allocated a 50% shareholding in GNV.
Marinvest joins the shareholding of GNV through a capital increase consisting of a mixed contribution, in cash and three ships (SNAV Toscana, SNAV Lazio, SNAV Sardegna).
The new shareholding is divided between Marinvest (50%), Investitori Associati (35%), IDeA (9.2%), Charme (4.6%), and other shareholders (1.2%).

2012: on May 26, GNV inaugurates two new maritime connections between the French port of Sète and the Moroccan ports of Tangier and Nador.

On August 2, 2012, the Shareholders' Meeting of GNV approves a capital increase worth 30 million euros; during the meeting, the Board of Directors is also delegated the power to carry out a possible subsequent increase of up to 20 million euros. The Company is thus owned by Marinvest (50%), Investitori Associati (43.40%), IDeA Co-Investment Fund (3.66%), Charme (1.83%), and other shareholders (1.11%).

On December 20, Roberto Martinoli is appointed Chairman of the Company; Giovanni Battista Vacchi joins the Board and becomes CEO.

2013: on board GNV, the project "SailOr, the Ship for Career and Maritime Professions Guidance" is launched, promoted by the Liguria Region, in collaboration with the Regional School Office and supported by the Nautical Institute San Giorgio and the Hospitality Institutes Bergese and Marco Polo; the training activity involves the University of Genoa, the Italian Academy of the Merchant Marine, the Port Authority-Coast Guard, and the Auxiliary Coast Guard.

On December 11, 2013, a capital increase to €169,999,988.97 is approved.
The shareholding percentages are divided among Marinvest S.r.l. (57.39%), Investitori Associati (36.97%), Idea Capital Funds s.g.r. S.p.a (3.12%), Charme Investment S.C.A. (1.56%), and others (0.96%).

2014: GNV launches a project to define a new branding strategy during its repositioning process, begun with expansion into foreign markets. The project leads to a redefinition of the logo, thanks to which the Company wins two awards at the Brand Identity GrandPrix.

In November, GNV presents on board the ship La Superba the 2014 Community Report, a document providing a detailed and precise analysis, in quantitative and qualitative terms, of the Company's social, economic, environmental, and cultural presence in Genoa, highlighting the deep bond between the Company and the Genoese territory.

2015: in June, GNV presents the new fleet livery to the press in the port of Genoa; the ship Rhapsody joins the fleet, and the Company inaugurates the Bari-Durrës route, GNV's first in the Adriatic.

2016: the company’s ownership changes and Pierfrancesco Vago becomes Chairman of GNV.

In June, the Company wins the "Best Ferry Company" award at the Italia Travel Awards.

2017: GNV strengthens its offer for Morocco and in June inaugurates the new Barcelona – Nador line.

The Company joins the plastic-free campaign for environmental protection promoted by the MAREVIVO association.

In May, GNV again wins the "Best Ferry Company" award at the Italia Travel Awards.

2018: GNV is the main sponsor of Palermo Italian Capital of Culture 2018, a cross-sector project that, throughout 2018, hosts art, music, theatre, major events, meetings, conferences, and sports in the Sicilian capital.

For the third consecutive year, GNV is acclaimed by travel agents and wins the "Best Ferry Company" award at the Italia Travel Awards.

2019: in May, GNV resumes operating the historic seasonal Genoa – Olbia line.

2020: on Monday, March 23, the M/n Splendid is delivered to the Liguria Region, ready to welcome the first COVID patients discharged from hospital: from March to June, around 200 people were hosted on board – both those in ‘protected discharge’ from hospitals, for a convalescence period before returning home, and those who had to carry out quarantine in complete isolation. The project was developed together with RINA, in close coordination with the Local Health Authority and Civil Protection; thanks to the professionalism and work of all colleagues, and to the partners who provided products and services, in just a few days GNV managed to implement an important project to counter the COVID emergency. 

Thanks to this experience, the Company also distinguished itself in terms of safety: in June 2020, GNV became the first shipping company to obtain the RINA Biosafety Trust Certification; this innovative certification scheme, implemented by RINA, verifies through rigorous periodic audits the application of management systems aimed at preventing the occurrence of bacterial and viral infections, and at containing their spread if detected during the travel experience, in order to ensure the safety of passengers, employees, and crew.

2021: M/n GNV Sealand and the newbuild M/n GNV Bridge join the fleet.

In June, GNV opens connections to the Balearic Islands, with routes from and to Valencia and Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, and Ciutadella, offering single-leg tickets.

GNV announces an order for four new ro-pax vessels with GSI shipyards in Canton, China, in collaboration with MSC Group.

2022: GNV expands its fleet with GNV Spirit, strengthening international routes, especially to Spain and Morocco, and opens new offices in Valencia.

2023: The company celebrates 30 years of activity.

2024: GNV Polaris officially joins the fleet, the first of four next-generation vessels with high environmental and passenger comfort standards, operating on the Genoa-Palermo route.

2025: In April, GNV inaugurates the new France (Sète) – Algeria (Algiers and Bejaia) route.
In May, the new brand positioning is announced, with the payoff "Every moment of the journey counts," emphasizing service quality, safety, sustainability, and customer care.
In July, GNV Orion is baptized in Genoa, operating on the Genoa-Palermo route.
The company announces an order for four additional LNG-powered ro-pax vessels.
By year-end, GNV Virgo, the first LNG-powered ferry in Italy, is expected, reducing CO₂ emissions by over 50% compared to previous-generation vessels.

Grandi Navi Veloci SpA, Via Balleydier 7 - 16149 Genoa - www.gnv.it

Chairman: Pierfrancesco Vago

Chief Executive Officer: Matteo Catani

Passenger Contact Center: 010.2094591 - info@gnv.it
Cargo Contact Center: 010.5509339 - cargo@gnv.it