Athara Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

A fire erupted on the seventh deck of the GNV Phoenix, a ro/pax ferry, while it was positioned at La Nuova Meccanica Navale for routine maintenance near Naples' Piazza Mercato. Fortunately, all 85 individuals onboard, comprising crew members and maintenance workers, managed to evacuate safely, with no injuries reported. In response to the incident, the Naples health authority implemented a shelter-in-place advisory, urging residents to stay indoors and refrain from using ventilation systems. However, initial assessments from the regional environmental agency ARPAC have shown that air quality remains unaffected. Firefighting crews worked tirelessly into the morning of May 28, successfully containing the fire and preventing it from spreading further. Following the extinguishing of the blaze, decontamination operations commenced. Despite the fire, the port of Naples remains open to regular marine traffic, with the exception of Piers 29 and 30, where firefighting activities continue. The GNV Phoenix, previously known as Athara and once owned by Tirrenia, does not have a history of overseas port state control inspections.

After an arduous 12-hour firefighting operation, the blazing GNV Phoenix was finally brought under control on May 28, with fire crews working tirelessly through the night. The vessel, which was docked in Naples, experienced a severe fire originating from its stern area, generating extreme temperatures and releasing dense, black smoke that spread across neighborhoods from San Giovanni to Chiaia, Vomero, and Arenella. The incident began when the alarm was raised at approximately 6:50 PM on May 27, prompting immediate action from multiple firefighting teams. The complexity of the situation was intensified by the challenging conditions inside the hull, necessitating the deployment of specialized units along with firefighting tugs and a patrol boat. In light of safety concerns, the Port Authority enacted a temporary halt to maritime operations between Molo Beverello and Calata Porta di Massa, causing diversions and delays for incoming ships. Concurrently, the Prefecture activated the Rescue Coordination Center, involving ARPAC - the Campania Regional Agency for Environmental Protection - to monitor for harmful pollutants, including dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls. Initial assessments from fixed monitoring stations indicated that there were no abnormal readings in the atmosphere as of 9 to 10 PM on the night of the fire. However, out of caution, the Municipal Administration, in consultation with the Local Health Authority Napoli 1 Centro, advised residents near Molo del Carmine Pier to keep all windows, doors, and other openings sealed to minimize exposure to potential contaminants. For further updates and detailed visuals, see the provided reports and videos.

On the evening of May 27, 2026, a significant fire erupted aboard the 'GNV Phoenix', a ferry docked at the Port of Naples for maintenance. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. while the vessel was stationed at Pier 29/30, adjacent to the Mekkanica Navale shipyard. The crew swiftly issued a Mayday call, alerting the Port Authority and emergency services of the escalating fire. The flames are believed to have started on the lower decks, potentially originating from the engine room, as plumes of smoke billowed into the sky, visible from numerous locations throughout the city. A pungent smell enveloped the port area, raising concerns among nearby residents. Initial responses came from tugs on site that began firefighting efforts using their onboard water pumps. They were soon supported by a patrol boat from the Coast Guard and land-based firefighters working collectively to bring the blaze under control. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the ferry crew or external contractors, all of whom were safely evacuated prior to the fire's escalation. While the Port of Naples remains operational, access to the waters surrounding Piers 29 and 30 has been restricted to aid in rescue and firefighting operations. The tugs 'Tarentum', 'Vivara', and 'Galluzzo' are currently on the scene, assisting with recovery efforts. The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage to the 'GNV Phoenix' are still under investigation. A full assessment will only take place once the fire has been completely extinguished and the affected areas have cooled. In response to the situation, an emergency meeting was convened on the same evening by the Prefect of Naples, Michele di Bari. Key officials, including Deputy Mayor Laura Lieto and various representatives from local health, environmental, and emergency agencies, were in attendance. The ARPAC is set to deploy a sampler to evaluate air quality, particularly for dioxins and furans. Originally constructed in 2002 for the Tirrenia fleet, the 'GNV Phoenix' joined the GNV fleet in April 2026, previously operating under the name 'Athara' in the Moby Group fleet. The ferry was slated to enter service as the 'AF Phoenix,' chartered to Ancona's Adria Ferries, with plans to service the route between Bari and Durrës in the upcoming weeks. For further coverage including photos and videos, see links: [Napoli Today](https://www.napolitoday.it/cronaca/incendio-nave-porto-napoli-gnv-phoenix.html), [Puente de Mando](https://www.puentedemando.com/declarado-un-incendio-a-bordo-del-ferry-italiano-gnv-phoenix-en-trabajos-de-renovacion-en-el-puerto-de-napoles/), [Repubblica Napoli](https://napoli.repubblica.it/cronaca/2026/05/28/news/incendio_sulla_gnv_phoenix_spegnimento_ancora_in_corso_arpac_nessuna_anomalia_qualita_dell_aria-425375115/), [Fanpage Napoli](https://www.fanpage.it/napoli/incendio-nel-porto-di-napoli-fiamme-sul-traghetto-gnv-nube-di-fumo-sulla-citta/).

On February 11, 2026, the ferry 'Athara' was dislodged from its moorings at the western quay of Porto Torres due to fierce mistral winds, with gusts exceeding 100 kilometers per hour. The strong winds caused the mooring lines to snap, prompting immediate action from the local authorities. The Coast Guard and two tugboats worked in unison to escort the 'Athara' safely out of the harbor, with assistance from experienced pilots. The operation was overseen by the Porto Torres port authority, ensuring a coordinated response to the unexpected nautical emergency. After the winds subsided, the ferry remained anchored until the weather conditions improved, allowing it to return to safe operations on February 13 at approximately 7 a.m. UTC. For more details and images of the event, visit the report here: https://www.unionesarda.it/de/sardinien/porto-torres-windboen-mit-geschwindigkeiten-von-uber-100-km-h-die-verankerungen-der-athara-brachen-fak1qxbz.

In an exciting development for maritime enthusiasts, GNV, part of the MSC Group, has unveiled new names for the last two of the five former Moby ferries it has acquired. The 'Moby Ale Due' is set to become the 'GNV Pegasus', while the 'Athara' will take on the name 'GNV Phoenix'. This follows the announcement of the first rebranding initiative, where the 'Janas' will now be known as 'GNV Altair'. Notably, the remaining two ferries in the group, the 'Moby Wonder' and 'Moby Aki', will retain their original names, as they are currently on charter back to Moby. The transition signifies GNV's commitment to enhance its maritime services while integrating these vessels into its growing fleet.

In a significant development, a court in Milan has mandated the auction of five ferries next week, including the 'Moby Aki' (IMO: 9299393), 'Moby Wonder' (IMO: 9214367), 'Moby Ale Due' (IMO: 9222522), 'Athara', and 'Janas' (IMO: 9222534). The auction will feature a starting price of €229.9 million for the whole fleet. Notably, both the 'Moby Aki' and 'Moby Wonder' will need to be chartered back to Moby for a 15-year term, at a rate of €15,000 (approximately $17,200) per day. This auction comes on the heels of a ruling from the Italian Competition and Market Authority (AGCM), which expressed concerns that Mediterranean Shipping Company's (MSC) involvement with Moby could hinder fair competition in the industry. In light of these findings, MSC divested its stake in the Italian ferry operator. The minority stake had been originally acquired in 2022, at a time when Moby was grappling with financial challenges. However, potential competition issues arose when AGCM initiated an investigation in November 2024, scrutinizing the ownership link between the MSC subsidiary Shipping Agencies Services (SAS) and Grandi Navi Veloci, a competitor on certain routes serviced by Moby. The authority's analysis indicated that this relationship could negatively impact competition on overlapping routes. To align with the competition authority's recommendations, SAS will be divesting its 49% stake back to Onorato Armatori, the original owner of Moby, sealing a deal that aims to restore competitive equity in the ferry service market.

In a concerning incident on July 3, 2025, a 65-year-old man from Rome went missing during a ferry journey aboard the 'Athara', traveling to Olbia. The passenger, who boarded the vessel in Civitavecchia on July 2, failed to disembark the following morning at Isola Bianca. The Olbia Maritime Directorate is actively spearheading the search efforts, working alongside the Olbia Maritime Authority to piece together information about the man's recent activities. Investigators have reportedly accessed footage from onboard cameras to aid in their inquiries. Additionally, search operations are being conducted at sea to locate the missing individual.

On December 16, 2020, at approximately 11 p.m., the ferry 'Athara' experienced a fire on its car deck while sailing from Genoa to Porto Torres, just 40 miles from its departure point. The vessel was carrying 172 passengers and a crew of 43, many of whom were returning to Sardinia for the Christmas holidays. As smoke filled the area, fear and panic erupted among those aboard, particularly in cabins adjacent to the hold where the air became thick and acrid. Fortunately, the fire, which ultimately damaged 20 vehicles including cars and trailers, was swiftly contained by the ship's onboard fire prevention systems and the crew's prompt actions. The captain took immediate action, gathering the frightened passengers in a safe area near the bar and providing them with sandwiches, drinks, and assurances as the situation unfolded. To ensure safety, the 'Athara' turned back towards Genoa, where the Port Authority deployed the patrol boat 'CP 2110' as a precautionary measure. The ferry successfully docked at 2 a.m. on December 17, greeted by teams of firefighters who worked to extinguish any lingering hotspots and secure the vessel. Coast Guard inspectors and RINA technicians boarded to conduct investigations, coordinated by the Genoa Public Prosecutor's office. Early investigations indicated the fire likely originated from a reefer truck, spreading to nearby vehicles and trailers. In response to the incident, the shipping company arranged for passengers to transfer to another ferry scheduled for the day. The 'Athara' remained docked as investigations continued and a class inspection was conducted. Multiple vehicles were removed from the affected car deck, visibly marked by soot, but thankfully, there were no reported injuries and no medical attention was required. This incident came just days after the 'Athara' participated in a firefighting drill on December 11 at the Porto Torres port. During this exercise, a simulated emergency led to the urgent rescue of an injured seafarer who suffered burns and required immediate medical attention from the 118 staff, followed by a transfer to Santissima Annunziata hospital in Sassari. The drill aimed to test the response times of rescue teams and compliance with safety protocols, involving cooperation from various seaside organizations including the Port Authority and Sardinian Anti-Pollution Society. For further updates and visual reports on the fire incident, see the following links: [Reports with photo and video](https://www.prealpina.it/pages/fiamme-in-stiva-traghetto-rientrato-in-porto-237152.html?from=interni-esteri) and [Sardinia News](https://www.unionesarda.it/articolo/news-sardegna/sassari-provincia/2020/12/17/incendio-nella-stiva-della-athara-fumo-e-fuliggine-momenti-di-pau-136-1094763.html).

On January 24, 2019, at noon, a maritime incident occurred in Olbia when the 'Cruise Bonaria,' operated by Grimaldi, and the 'Athara' from Tirrenia collided. The 'Athara' was preparing to depart from Isola Bianca port when it was unexpectedly struck by a powerful gust of wind, which propelled it into the 'Cruise Bonaria,' which was secured at the berth. Despite the assistance of tugs, the allision could not be prevented. The collision resulted in damage to the starboard side of the 'Cruise Bonaria,' affecting its outboard gangway and resulted in the shattering of two large windows. Fortunately, no passengers were injured during the incident. The 'Athara' also sustained damage, specifically to its port-side dashboard wing. Following emergency repairs, the 'Athara' was scheduled to set sail for Genoa at 9:30 p.m. that same evening. The 'Cruise Bonaria,' on the other hand, continued its journey as planned towards Livorno, where local authorities would conduct a more thorough inspection of the damages sustained. For further details and visual coverage of the incident, you can refer to local Italian news reports: [La Nuova Sardegna](http://www.lanuovasardegna.it/olbia/cronaca/2019/01/24/news/olbia-il-vento-sbatte-le-navi-una-contro-l-altra-collisione-fra-traghetti-in-porto-1.17686337?refresh_ce) and [Unione Sarda](https://www.unionesarda.it/articolo/news-sardegna/gallura/2019/01/24/olbia-collisione-fra-navi-al-porto-colpa-del-vento-136-826523.html).