The Port of Catania was first built in 1438. Repeatedly rebuilt over the centuries, today it is one of the most important ports in Sicily.
With a total surface area of 615,000 m2 used for goods storage yards, Catania Port is home to a variety of different activities: a tourist and commercial port (with national and international connections provided by major shipping companies) and a transport interchange with rapid connections to motorways, rail services and the airport.
Around 1110 hrs the 1995 built ITA flag ropax EUROFERRY OLYMPIA was seen entering, berthing at Banchina 35 after the ropax GIUSEPPE LUCCHESI left Port for anchorage to make berthing space. She was due to berth at Banchina 31 of which EUROCARGO PATRASSO was delayed.
The 2012 built MLT flag ropax GIUSEPPE LUCCHESI was seen leaving harbour to anchorage for berthing space.
Interesting whilst berthed at Banchina 31 there was the 1998 built MLT flag ro/ro vessel EUROCARGO PATRASSO who was built as the Fred Olsen Lines vessel BRABANT (At that time with red hull). She was renamed SUPERFAST CANARIAS with Trasmediterranea, Spain during December 1998 and in August 2015 she was spotted in Grimaldi Lines Colours and name with Malta Motorways Of the Sea funnel colours at the Viktor Lenac Shipyard, Rijeka, Croatia.
The Portuguese Navy Standard Flex 300 Class Patrol Vessel NRP DOURO F 591 taking part in FRONTEX was seen berthed. She’s the former Danish Navy Flyvefisken Class HDMS RAVNEN P 560.
The 2006 built multi-purpose ship (MPP) FWN BONAFIDE was seen berthed at Banchina no 02.
Catania Ormeggiatore (Mooring Party) were seen at the port with their launch CAROLA.
The Italian Coast Guard (Guardia Costiera) Dattilo Class OPV’s CP 940 LUIGI DATTILO and CP 941 UBALDO DICIOTTI were seen berthed opposite each other.
The 1993 built ropax HARTMUT PUSCHMANN (former ESPRESSO CATANIA) was seen moored at Banchina 09.
At Banchina 25 there was the Italian Navy San Giorgio Class Amphibious Transport Dock L 9893 ITS SAN MARCO who happens to be the EUNAVFOR Med Operation Sophia Flagship.
And the 1967 built NLD flag workboat QUEST still detained after a drug bust was found earlier this year in June (See also https://maltashipnews.com/2018/07/01/37/)
Photos by Capt. Lawrence Dalli. Do not use these images without my permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
