Cartour

About Cartour

Cartour S.r.l. operates as the cabotage division of the Caronte & Tourist Group, a major player in the Italian shipping industry. The company specializes in maritime transport for passengers and vehicles, primarily on the Salerno-Messina route, which serves as a sea-based alternative to the motorway. This service is part of the "Motorways of the Sea" project, designed to offer a comfortable and efficient travel alternative.

Cartour is a subsidiary within the larger Caronte & Tourist S.p.A., which was formed in 2003 through the merger of two historical shipping companies, Caronte and Tourist Ferry Boat, both of which began operations in 1965 connecting Sicily and the Italian mainland. Cartour itself was established in 2010 to handle the cabotage service. The parent group, Caronte & Tourist, is a significant entity in the Mediterranean, transporting over seven million passengers and millions of vehicles annually across its various routes, including connections to smaller islands. The group's fleet is noted for its efficiency and safety standards.

The company's business model is centered on providing scheduled ferry services. Revenue is generated from ticket sales to both individual passengers and commercial clients transporting vehicles. The cabotage fleet includes Ro-Pax (Roll-on/Roll-off Passenger) vessels like the Cartour Delta, which can accommodate up to 1,000 passengers and 150 commercial vehicles or 800 cars. The governance of Cartour includes Lorenzo Matacena as President and Pietro Franza as Vice President, with Edoardo Bonanno and Luigi Genghi serving as CEOs. The parent company has also seen investment from the UK-based fund Basalt Infrastructure Partners, which established a long-term partnership with the founding families.