Sicily opens market consultation for unified ferry services to five island groups

Italy’s Sicily Regional Government has opened a market consultation ahead of a possible unified tender for maritime services linking Sicily with the Aeolian Islands, the Egadi Islands, Ustica, Pantelleria and the Pelagie Islands.

Operators have until 12:00 local time on 9 November 2026 to say whether, and on what terms, they would operate all or part of the proposed services without public compensation. The scope covers Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax ferries carrying passengers, vehicles and goods, including dangerous goods, as well as passenger-only fast craft.

Responses will help the region decide among commercial operation, public service obligations, demand-side subsidies, and compensated contracts awarded by tender. Operators are also asked about available vessels, replacement tonnage, mobilisation times, technical characteristics and compatibility with island port facilities.

The plan aims to consolidate a Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport convention with Società Navigazione Siciliana (a Liberty Lines and Caronte & Tourist joint venture) and separate regional contracts. The legal and economic framework for transferring state-run routes to regional control remains unresolved; a planned convention would move most ministry-run services to the region from 10 October 2027, except Ustica and the Eolie–Napoli route.

The five island systems handled 3,789,682 passengers in 2025, 13.4% more than in 2022, with fast craft carrying most of that traffic.