Italian shipping firm Grimaldi Group highlighted the importance of a healthy relationship with its Maltese clients through their representatives Sullivan Maritime Limited.

This came during Sullivan Maritime’s fourth annual Grimaldi Group Summer Event, which was held on 28th June 2022 at Hilton Malta’s Quarterdeck.

Sullivan Maritime Director Karl Sullivan, speaking on behalf of Managing Director Ernest Sullivan, who could not be present, opened the evening by welcoming all the guests in what was the first edition of the event since 2019. The 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Italian Ambassador Fabrizio Romano and Grimaldi Group Executive Manager Eugenio Grimaldi were among the attendees, along with port authorities, representatives of the business community, and clients.

Mr Sullivan highlighted the long-standing business relationship between the Grimaldi and Sullivan families, which has spanned six decades, calling it a “success story with a bright future”.

The Malta Chamber of Commerce CEO Marthese Portelli shed light on the long-standing association with Grimaldi Group, who is a Bronze Collaborator of the Malta Chamber.

She pointed out factors that are adversely affecting the maritime transportation sector, and highlighted Grimaldi Group’s forward thinking and planning initiatives that are going long way in addressing these issues.

Dr Portelli also spoke of the recent christening of the Eco Malta, Grimaldi Group’s latest acquisition of a state-of-the-art vessel, remarking that it is an example of investment planned with sustainability.

She concluded by highlighting the insularity of Malta and the vitality of maritime connections, stressing the importance of Grimaldi Group as a service operator in the industry.

Grimaldi Group Senior Executive Francesco Mastropaolo added that even during the challenging couple of years caused by the pandemic, Grimaldi Group continued to grow further, and he proceeded to thank the clients for their support in achieving this.

Mr Mastropaolo remarked that growth was experienced on all trade lines, particularly Salerno to Malta, Ravenna to Malta – which exceeded 100 per cent growth – and Brindisi to Malta, with the latter experiencing growth in the region of 670 per cent.

Grimaldi Group currently operates over 130 ro-ro vessels, and is therefore a world leader in this respect, he continued. This allows for excellent connections throughout the Mediterranean to ports in the Baltic Sea, West Africa, and also the Americas.

Dr Grimaldi shared his enthusiasm and appreciation for the friendship and support that Grimaldi Group received from its Maltese clients. He stressed that it is this support that encourages it to continue investing in the modernisation and renewal of its fleet and in the acquisition of terminals and innovative technology.

“Some think tanks are theorising the new concept of human satisfaction as an appropriate purpose for corporations, enlarging the traditional customer and stakeholder satisfaction, to also include the emotional wellbeing of people and ethical aspects from social justice to environmental sustainability,” he added.

“In this philosophical stream, big companies should aim at becoming a positive pillar of circular growth of the countries where they operate,” Dr Grimaldi continued.

“They should function as friends of their surroundings,” he concluded.

Technology has driven further innovation when it comes to sustainability, particularly in addressing all aspects of fuel economy, the reduction of emissions, regulated consumption, additional space, as well as control of costs.

Afterwards, a brief video of the christening of Eco Malta in Valletta was shown, which was then followed up by Dr Grimaldi presenting commemorative plaques to the port authorities and guests present.

Italian logistics specialists Grimaldi Group, which focuses on the transportation of cars, rolling cargo, containers, and passengers was established in 1947 and is represented by Maltese shipping company Sullivan Maritime.