http://www.grimaldi.napoli.it/en/index.html
Via Marchese Campodisola, 13 80133
Naples, Italy
The Grimaldi Group is a large international shipping company based in Genoa, Italy. The company specializes in transporting container cargo, bulk cargo, cars, rolling cargo, oversize machinery, and passengers. The family-owned business was established in 1947 and consists of eight shipping subsidiaries, including Atlantic Container Line (ACL), Minoan Lines, Malta Motorways and Finnlines Inflatable Water Game.
Vessel Fleet
Gramaldi currently owns or charters over 100 vessels. Its fleet includes everything from container vessels and Roll on Roll off (RoRo) vessels, to passenger cruise ferries, pure car carriers, pure truck carriers and hybrid vessels that are equipped to carry both passengers and vehicles. The group provides cargo transportation services between Italy and North America, South America, West Africa, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean. Grimaldi’s passenger transportation services are limited to routes along the Mediterranean and Baltic Sea.
Strategic Acquisitions
Much of the Grimaldi Group’s growth over the years has come via strategic acquisitions and partnerships. For instance, the group’s Atlantic Container Line subsidiary is considered the leading RoRo and container carrier between North America, West Africa and the Mediterranean. The subsidiary owns five of the largest RoRo vessels in the world. ACL currently offers five weekly sailings between 16 ports in the United States, Canada and Northern Europe. Since being acquired by Grimaldi in 2001, Atlantic Container has rapidly expanded both its fleet and its service offerings. In recent years, the company has begun offering RoRo and container shipping services to destinations in the Far East, Middle East and Australia.
Growing RoRo Capabilities
Another company that has significantly added to Grimaldi’s strengths in the vehicle transportation business is Minoan Lines. Grimaldi acquired a majority stake in Minoan in 2008, and currently owns close to 90 percent of the company. Minoan owns a fleet of very large RoRo vessels that it uses to transport cars and other rolling cargo between ports in Europe, the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
Company Reviews
A Grimaldi Group review by Businessweek identifies the company as a leading provider of shipping and logistics services to North American and European vehicle manufacturers. The group operates hub terminals in 11 ports in six countries, according to the magazine. A brief Atlantic Container Line review by the Better Business Bureau shows that the company is not currently affiliated with the BBB, but has a satisfactory record with the consumer rating agency all the same.