Discover the Moby-Drea: Ratings & Maritime News

The 'Moby Drea', a vessel that has been navigating the Mediterranean and the Italian coastline for several weeks, has finally been granted permission to dock in Taranto as of the night of September 17. This decision came after the local Port Authority, led by Captain Leonardo Deri, initially denied the ship entry due to safety concerns exacerbated by deteriorating weather conditions. However, after a request from the tug 'Protug 75', the Port Authority reconsidered, prioritizing the safety of navigation and environmental protection. The 'Moby Drea' is now securely moored in Taranto, albeit for the minimum time required, and will not carry out any onboard operations during its stay. Authorities were particularly concerned about the risk of the vessel going adrift in the Gulf of Taranto if adverse weather had caused the towline to snap. With the impending expiration of RINA towing certificates, urgent renewal is essential before the ship can embark once more under tow. The Municipality of Taranto has stated that it will closely monitor the situation, emphasizing that the vessel's presence will only last as long as necessary to ensure safety and to allow navigation to resume efficiently. The mayor has made it clear that any cleanup operations cannot take place in Taranto, insisting on stringent guarantees about adherence to environmental and safety protocols to protect the community's health and the surrounding area. To that end, ARPA Puglia and the Local Health Authority (ASL) will be involved to conduct extraordinary environmental and health assessments.

The latest updates from Med Fuel, the company that owns the ferry 'Moby Drea', reveal a commitment to responsibly address the vessel's asbestos concerns without resorting to scrapping. Contrary to rumors, the ferry was neither acquired by Moby nor is it being sent to a Croatian shipyard for dismantling. Currently, 'Moby Drea' is under tow and has reached the Calabrian coast, where the port of Crotone has unfortunately not provided docking facilities thus far. Davide Prestopino, CEO of Med Fuel, articulated the rationale behind the decision to transport the ferry to Split for the extraction of encapsulated asbestos panels. This strategic move aims not only to ensure safety but also bolster the ferry’s commercial value in the charter market, although there is no legal mandate triggering this action. Despite the technical capability to continue operating 'Moby Drea' as similar vessels do across Italian waters, these proactive steps are being prioritized. Med Fuel firmly denies that 'Moby Drea' is on the lookout for a scrapyard, assuring stakeholders of the ferry's future. Regarding the removal process, a certified specialist company will be engaged to handle the dismantling of the asbestos panels safely, in compliance with current regulations. This includes sealing the materials appropriately and arranging for their final disposal—practices that remain standard in many ports across Italy and Europe. The company had originally aimed to conduct this work in Crotone, but alternative sites in both Italian and foreign shipyards remain under consideration. While some concerns had been exaggerated, the estimated amount of asbestos aboard is around 60 tons, with an overall potential of up to 370 tons of material that needs addressing. Continuous monitoring will take place to ensure compliance and safety, and any lapses will lead to necessary legal follow-ups.

The ferry 'Moby Drea' is currently being towed to Crotone by the tug 'Protug 75' (IMO: 9559781), operated by Greece's Promarine, with an estimated arrival date of September 7. The future plans for the vessel will be disclosed once finalized. This coordinated return to Italy received approval from the General Command of the Port Authority. The Croatian Ministry of Transport's request for the ferry to leave Split following local protests has now been addressed, especially considering the concerns over the disposal of asbestos panels at Brodosplit shipyard. Recent actions by the NGO Shipbreaking Platform have spotlighted the issue, while the civic initiative 'Zdravi Split' mobilized protests urging the ferry's removal from Croatian waters due to worries that the removal of approximately 400 tons of asbestos would occur locally, potentially endangering the health of workers and residents. Open letters directed to the government highlighted that asbestos disposal is classified as a ship recycling operation and is subject to stringent regulations under European Union law (Regulation 1257/2013) and the Basel Convention. Importantly, Brodosplit shipyard was not authorized to conduct demolition operations, raising questions about the ferry's initial entry into Croatian waters for such activities, according to the NGO. Two hazardous materials inventories dated September 10, 2024, and January 20, 2025, have revealed a concerning discrepancy regarding asbestos levels on board—64.30 tons in the first report and nearly 400 tons in the second. This inconsistency has intensified calls for transparency and revealed potential oversight issues related to the 'Moby Drea' case. The Shipbreaking Platform cautioned against Turkey as a possible demolition destination, citing its ship recycling facilities' record of unsafe practices, especially regarding toxic substances like asbestos. The ferry's owner and Italian authorities as the flag state now bear the responsibility to ensure the ship's recycling is conducted at a certified European facility that can safely manage its hazardous materials in full compliance with applicable laws.

A tugboat from Malta has docked in Split to tow the troubled ferry 'Moby Drea', which has been anchored at the Brodosplit shipyard with a concerning cargo of 250 tons of asbestos panels. The vessel faces a mandated departure from the port by September 2, with its future destination remaining uncertain. The Italian owners have not disclosed plans regarding potential repairs or where the ship might head next. This complex situation has left the Brodosplit shipyard disheartened, as they were counting on the Moby Drea to revitalize their finances. The shipyard, already burdened with debts of two million euros to the Ministry of the Sea for unpaid concession fees and 1.8 million euros to the City of Split for utility services, is now grappling with further setbacks. The ferry was initially towed to Brodosplit's port on July 31 for asbestos partition wall removal from passenger cabins, raising alarm among local residents. The situation prompted protests supported by Mayor Tomislav Šuta, urging authorities to expedite the ship's removal. In response, on August 11, the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure mandated the ferry's departure within seven days, but later granted an extension of an additional 15 days to allow for the complicated logistics involved. Despite this extension, the Ministry issued a ban on any ongoing work to take out the hazardous asbestos panels and instructed the Split Port Authority to oversee compliance with this directive. In turn, the ship's owner, Med Fuel S.r.l., halted all work related to the asbestos, emphasizing their commitment to adhere to legal and safety requirements. As the situation develops, stakeholders remain concerned about the health and safety implications of the Moby Drea's prolonged presence in the area.

In response to directives from authorities, Brodosplit has confirmed that it will comply with all necessary measures regarding the vessel 'Moby Drea' (IMO number: 9205301). However, the responsibility for the ship's departure rests entirely with its owner. While Brodosplit serves as a repair port and service provider, the company emphasizes that it lacks the legal authority to disembark or transport the vessel without the owner's directive. The ship's owner holds the exclusive right and obligation to secure the necessary permits alongside arranging for crew and mooring. The Ministry has mandated that the vessel must vacate Croatian waters within 7 days. Following a stop work order issued on August 11, Med Fuel confirmed that all work related to the asbestos removal ceased promptly. The owner is now prioritizing the safe tow of 'Moby Drea' from the port, with an additional 15 days granted by the ministry to complete this operation. The port authority in Split will be responsible for ensuring the owner's compliance with these orders.

The situation surrounding the 'Moby Drea' has intensified, prompting the Ministry of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure of Croatia to issue an ultimatum for the Messina-based shipper Med Fuel to vacate its territorial waters within one week. This development comes amid rising tensions following protests in the city of Split, asserting that the ship's operations infringe upon Croatian law. Brodosplit shipyard has maintained that it has adhered to the Occupational Safety Act and all relevant regulations, having received official authorization to commence work. However, environmental inspections revealed that the shipowner failed to follow the EU Regulation concerning the transboundary movement of hazardous waste, a liability that does not fall under Brodosplit's purview. In this case, the shipowner had intended to dispose of the waste in Germany, contingent on acquiring necessary approvals from relevant authorities in Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, and Germany. Brodosplit clarified that the waste in question comprises nearly 350 tons of asbestos-containing panels, which are not unusual in vessels constructed prior to 2001, asserting that the removal of all panels is not feasible.

On August 4, the esteemed Brodosplit shipyard announced the successful completion of air quality testing on the 'Moby Drea', a crucial step in preparing for renovation works involving asbestos materials. The air sampling was conducted by a certified professional service, ensuring compliance with safety standards. The findings confirmed the absence of asbestos fibres in the atmosphere aboard the vessel, providing reassurance regarding the safety of the environment during the upcoming reconstruction efforts.

On July 28, the 'Moby Drea' docked at Brodosplit in Split after its journey from Genoa, where it is undergoing critical asbestos removal processes. Approximately 350 tons of asbestos, identified within the passenger cabin partition walls, are set to be carefully extracted before the vessel continues its voyage to a repair shipyard in Greece. Workers involved in this hazardous operation will adhere to strict safety protocols resembling quarantine measures. Each day, they will wear specialized disposable suits, masks, and gloves to ensure their safety. Prior to and during the removal of the asbestos-filled panels, the air quality will be meticulously monitored for hazardous particle concentrations. Once the panels are removed, they will be sealed in protective foil, placed onto pallets, and transported by an authorized company. After removal, the asbestos will be stored in secure cassettes or concrete boxes. This extensive work is scheduled to span two months, ensuring a thorough and safe remediation process.

On July 18, 2025, the ferry 'Moby Drea' set sail from the port of Genoa, being towed by the tugboat 'Sea Dream' (IMO: 9560259). Contrary to initial expectations of the vessel heading to Aliaga, it is now on a course towards Split, with an estimated time of arrival on July 26. The purpose of this journey remains unclear, including whether the ferry will dock at the Brodosplit shipyard. Previously sold by the Onorato family's ferry company in May, there was speculation that the vessel would be sent for scrapping in Aliaga. However, it has now been clarified that the 'Moby Drea' was sold for commercial operations, leaving open the possibility of its return to service within the Mediterranean region or beyond. For more details, check out the full report with accompanying photographs here: https://www.shippingitaly.it/2025/07/21/il-traghetto-moby-drea-ha-lasciato-per-lultima-volta-litalia/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLsHURleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHvqWcrRNuZnJ9ib24ge6XiwjEvADSLnI_tQPbJDSMQtfSm-reFEo-JdL2b1K_aem_DYzqUgMNhOXPRJxSMShXSQ.

The vessel has been officially sold to Aliaga Breakers, marking the end of its operational journey. This transaction highlights the ongoing market activity in ship dismantling, as facilities in Aliaga continue to play a pivotal role in the recycling and breaking industry.

On the morning of June 7, 2020, the ferry 'Moby Drea' docked at the port of Cagliari, Italy, amidst concerns over a potential COVID-19 case on board. Prior to departure, strict safety protocols were enacted, including temperature checks for all passengers, which revealed no abnormalities. However, during the journey, a Sardinian passenger began exhibiting symptoms characteristic of fever. Promptly, the captain informed the Cagliari Coast Guard, and the company’s newly appointed care manager implemented necessary containment measures. Upon arrival, medical personnel conducted a thorough evaluation, including a swab test for the symptomatic passenger, while rechecking temperatures for all other individuals on the ferry. As a precautionary step, the affected passenger remained on board until the test results were confirmed, ensuring the safety of all disembarking passengers. Initial assessments ruled out the likelihood of a coronavirus infection, but confirmation awaited the results of the molecular analysis.