Capu di Muru (ship)

Capu di Muru in L'Île-Rousse
History
Name
  • (1993–2026): Kalliste
  • (2026–present): Capu di Muru
Owner
Operator
Port of registry(1993–present): Bastia, France
Route
Ordered1991
Builder
Yard number403
Laid down17 July 1992
Launched23 January 1993
Christened4 August 1993
Completed19 July 1993
Acquired19 July 1993 (by La Méridionale) March 2026 (by Corsica Linea)
Maiden voyage29 July 1993
In service1993
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
Class & typeCustom Ro-Pax Freight & Passenger Ferry
Tonnage
  • 30,718 GT
  • 6,442 DWT
Length165.00 m (541 ft 4 in)
Beam29.00 m (95 ft 2 in)
Draught7.30 m (23 ft 11 in)
Decks9
RampsStern loading ramps
Installed power4 × Wärtsilä 16V32D marine diesel engines (total 19,700 kW / 26,418 hp)
Propulsion2 × controllable pitch propellers
Speed19.0 knots (35.2 km/h; 21.9 mph) (service)
Capacity
  • 500 passengers (160 cabins, 50 reclining seats)
  • 160 cars / 2,340 lane metres for freight
Crew44

Capu di Muru is a mixed passenger/cargo vessel belonging to the Corsica Linea company. Built from 1992 to 1993 at the Aker Finnyards shipyard in Rauma, Finland, for the Compagnie Méridionale de Navigation (CMN), it was christened Kalliste after a legend according to which the Greeks gave this nickname to Corsica (in Ancient Greek Καλλίστη / Kallisti, meaning in English "the most beautiful" or "the very beautiful"). It entered service in July 1993 on the Marseille - Corsica routes, it was the first mixed-use vessel ordered by La Méridionale and, at the time, the largest operating on the island. Initially operating between Marseille and Bastia, it was reassigned to the Propriano route from the end of 2011 and remained there until 2023. Withdrawn from the public service delegation routes, it was chartered by Corsica Linea during the summer of 2023 and used for international services between France and Algeria from Sète and Marseille at the end of June and the beginning of September, as well as for additional crossings to Corsica throughout July and August. Returning to La Méridionale in mid-September, it operates between October 2023 and January 2024, the rotations to Morocco were then reassigned between April and October to a new triangular route operated by the Marseille-based company, linking Toulon, L'Île-Rousse, and Livorno, which was subsequently abandoned in October. He was then transferred to the primary Moroccan service from January 2025, it was used on a route between Marseille and Nador from June to September before being permanently withdrawn from service. Initially sold for scrap in January 2026, it was finally bought by Corsica Linea in March and renamed Capu di Muru. He has since replaced the cargo ship Monte d'Oro on the DSP lines between Marseille and L'Île-Rousse.

History

Origins and construction

In the late 1980s, forecasts for the evolution of freight traffic between Marseille and Corsica indicated that the network would reach saturation around 1993. It therefore became necessary for the Compagnie Méridionale de Navigation (CMN) and the SNCM to undertake the replacement of one of their cargo ships with a larger vessel in order to anticipate the increased demand for freight transport. Following the renewal of the operating agreement for the mainland-Corsica shipping lines for the period 1991-1995, the company was thus obligated to replace the Girolata, a second-hand cargo ship acquired in 1989, with a new vessel having a roll-on/roll-off (ROO) capacity of over 2,200 meters. Its commissioning was scheduled for 1993. This was followed by a similar unit from SNCM. This fleet program is proving necessary and mandatory. Reconsidering it would make it impossible for the companies to meet their obligations and would result in a financial reduction of the subsidy. To obtain better pricing, CMN and SNCM are jointly launching a tender for the construction of two identical vessels.[1]

Following the international call for tenders launched on September 9, 1991, four shipyards attracted the attention of the management: the South Korean Samsung Heavy Industries, the Finnish Aker Finnyards, and Chantiers de l'Atlantique, all proposing the simultaneous construction of both vessels, according to the deadlines set by the agreement. Finally, Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre (ACH) offered to build one of the two units, as its workload did not allow it to compete with its rivals. CMN ultimately opted for Aker Finnyards, which offered significantly lower construction costs, while SNCM, with the help of additional subsidies, had its vessel built at ACH.[1]

Named Kalliste, the new unit was laid down in Rauma on July 17, 1992. This is the company's first order for a mixed-use vessel. The passenger areas will be designed to offer comfort similar to that of SNCM car ferries, thus confirming La Méridionale's commitment to establishing its nascent passenger transport business. Launched on January 24, 1993, the ship was then completed over six months before being delivered to CMN on July 19.[1]

Service

La Méridionale (1993-2026)

After leaving Finland for the Mediterranean, the Kalliste arrived in Marseille at the end of July. The ship began its commercial operations on July 29, 1993, between Marseille and Bastia. A few days later, on August 4, his baptism took place, celebrated in Bastia by Sauveur Casanova, bishop of Ajaccio. Her godmother is Ange-Marie Zuccarelli, wife of the politician Émile Zuccarelli.[2]

In 2001, La Méridionale jointly signed a public service delegation agreement with SNCM for the subsidized transport of freight and passengers between Marseille and Corsica. This contract stipulated a capacity of 500 passengers at the main ports of Ajaccio and Bastia, and the Kalliste took over in May 2002. The ship was sent to Germany where it was converted to accommodate more passengers at the Lloyd Werft shipyards in Bremerhaven. A new three-story block, including additional cabins and a snack bar, was added to the rear of the ship, thus increasing the capacity from 196 to 550 passengers.[1]

In June 2010, the Kalliste is the first ship to display La Méridionale's new logo. During the summer season, the ship is temporarily repainted white before finally receiving the company's new livery in winter, featuring light blue waves painted on the hull.[3]

In December 2011, replaced by the new Piana on the Bastia line, the Kalliste is assigned between Marseille, Propriano and Porto Torres in Sardinia to replace the Scandola.[1]

On July 1, 2014, while in Marseille, the ship was blocked at the dock by striking SNCM sailors.[4] The Kalliste would remain immobilized until July 10, before finally being able to resume its rotations on Corsica.[5]

In April 2017, the Kalliste is repainted in the new colours of La Méridionale with a two-tone blue livery inspired by the previous one as well as the addition of bands of the same colours bordering the portholes of decks 5 and 6.[1]

In October 2019, following La Méridionale's partial exclusion from the new public service delegation contract in favor of Corsica Linea, the Kalliste remained for a time the only ship operated by the company between Marseille and Propriano. It would be joined in February 2020, by the Piana which will revert to the colors of La Méridionale to serve Porto-Vecchio.[3]

On December 31, 2022, the Kalliste made its final stop in Propriano as part of the subsidized port service, La Méridionale having been awarded the Porto-Vecchio service for seven years following the implementation of the new Public Service Delegation (DSP).[6] At 7 p.m., the ship set sail for Marseille, thus ending more than 40 years of concessionary service to the Gulf of Valinco by La Méridionale.[7] On January 2, 2023, the Kalliste departs Marseille for its first crossing to Porto-Vecchio under the Public Service Delegation (DSP). Its arrival in the salt town, which had already welcomed it several times in the past, takes place the following morning. However, the ship's operation in this port is short-lived; at the end of March, it is withdrawn from service for its technical overhaul and replaced by the Girolata.[8]

Initially scheduled to serve Morocco from Marseille for the summer of 2023, the Kalliste was replaced on this route by the cargo ship Pelagos, prompting La Méridionale to find another use for its surplus vessel. A project to charter the ship to the company Algérie Ferries to operate it between Oran and Sète was considered for a time before being abandoned.[9] Finally, the mixed cargo ship was announced as being chartered by Corsica Linea for the entire 2023 season. At the end of May, upon its return from Santander where it had undergone a technical stop, it was chartered for three voyages between Tangier and Livorno to transport new vehicles. It then returned to Marseille at the beginning of June and began operating for Corsica Linea six days ahead of schedule to replace the Monte d'Oro, which had suffered damage.[10] On June 15, the ship inaugurated Corsica Linea's new routes between Sète and Algeria, sailing to Skikda with 238 passengers and 185 vehicles.[11] Its first arrival in Algeria took place the following day at 11:00 AM. Also assigned to crossings to Béjaïa, it continued to operate on the North African route until June 30 before returning to the Corsican routes, primarily between Marseille and L'Île-Rousse, replacing the Monte d'Oro. Initially, the Kalliste was to be deployed to the Maghreb throughout the summer but was ultimately only positioned in the shoulder seasons at the request of the Algerian authorities.[12][13] At the end of the summer season, in mid-September, the ship was returned to La Méridionale. After briefly sailing between Marseille and Porto-Vecchio, replacing the Girolata, it was assigned to the Moroccan route between Marseille and Tangier from October 5, 2023 to January 20, 2024. Subsequently, it successively replaced the Piana and the Girolata during their technical stops.[1]

After a brief dry-docking during which the lettering and logos of La Méridionale were modified, the Kalliste left Marseille to dock in the port of Toulon on the evening of April 4, 2024 in anticipation of the launch of the company's new service linking the Var capital to L'Île-Rousse. During the day, the mixed cargo ship is notably testing the infrastructure allowing ships to connect to the quayside.[14] On April 6, shortly before 8 p.m., the Kalliste set sail for its maiden voyage to Balagne with approximately 190 passengers on board.[15] It arrived in the port of L'Île-Rousse the following day at 7:45 a.m. About two months later, after completing an empty round trip between L'Île-Rousse and Livorno, May 27 in order to test the berth, the Kalliste made its first commercial crossing between Balagne and the Italian port on June 1st.[16][17] At the end of the summer season, however, these new routes proved unprofitable, notably due to pressure from the Corsica Linea trade unions opposing La Méridionale's transport of freight from Toulon.[18] The Toulon-L'Île-Rousse service, which was supposed to run at least until December, was discontinued from October 1st and the Kalliste was transferred to the Moroccan service, initially temporarily and then permanently from January 2025 due to the withdrawal of Pelagos.[19][20]

In June 2025, to mark the arrival of the new Massalia on the Tangier route, the Kalliste is providing a new service between Marseille and Nador and making its first stop in the Moroccan port 11 juin.[21] On September 29, the cargo ship arrives in Marseille from Tangier and completes what will be its very last crossing for La Méridionale. Just like the Toulon-L'Île-Rousse line a year earlier, the Nador service is abandoned by the company and the Kalliste, without a designated route, is put up for sale.[22] Finding no buyer, it is sold on January 15, 2026 to the Turkish shipbreaking firm Şök Denizcilik based in Aliağa.[23] While the fate of the old cargo ship seemed sealed, with its departure for scrapping scheduled for February, it ultimately escaped its fate.[24] Following a period marked by social unrest and the immobilization of La Méridionale's fleet, discussions concerning the future of the Kalliste, whose continued service was one of the demands of the striking sailors, led to the resale of the ship to the Corsica Linea company.[25][26]

Corsica Linea (since 2026)

Received by the Corsican company on March 5, 2026, the ship entered dry dock number 8 on March 13. For almost a month, the mixed cargo ship underwent refurbishment, as some equipment had been removed despite the ship being slated for demolition. Its hull was also repainted in the red livery of Corsica Linea, replacing the blue waves of La Méridionale. During the work, the ship was renamed Capu di Muru, after the iconic cape of the same name in Coti-Chiavari. Upon leaving dry dock on April 2, it moored at berth 44 in the port of Marseille, awaiting commissioning. On April 20, shortly before its departure for Corsica, the Capu di Muru was christened during a ceremony held on board. It then set sail that same evening around 7:30 p.m., without passengers and loaded only with freight. The following morning, it docked at the port of L'Île-Rousse, marking its return to the city of Paoli a year and a half after La Méridionale ceased its Toulon service. For its first call in Corsica under its new colors, the Capu di Muru flew its full regalia. During the day, the "new" mixed cargo ship was presented to the authorities and economic stakeholders of the region before departing that evening for the mainland with its first passengers.[27] The Capu di Muru thus replaced the Monte d'Oro on the Balagne route from Marseille, significantly improving Corsica Linea's standing on this route.[28] Its predecessor, meanwhile, left the fleet of the company with the red ships for a new career in the Red Sea for an Egyptian shipowner.[29]

Facilities

The Capu di Muru has nine decks. Although the ship actually spans eleven decks, two of them are devoid of garage space. Passenger quarters are located on decks 4, 5, and part of deck 6, while crew quarters occupy a large portion of deck 6. Decks 1, 2, 2/3, and 3 house the garages.[1]

Common areas

The Capu di Muru is equipped with comfortable facilities for its passengers. These facilities, located primarily on deck 5, include the Roccapina lounge bar at the bow, the Campomoro self-service restaurant behind the bar, and the Nebbiu restaurant at the stern. Until 2018, a snack bar, added during the 2002 refit, was located on deck 6 at the stern. However, it has since been removed and replaced with new cabins.[1]

Cabins

The Capu di Muru has 160 private cabins, mostly located on deck 4, but also on decks 5 and 6 aft. These cabins, either inside or outside, can accommodate up to four people and all have private bathrooms with shower, toilet, and sink. The ship also features a small lounge with 50 Pullman seats on deck 5.[1]

Features

The Capu di Muru is 165 meters long and 29 meters wide, with a draft of 7.30 meters. Its gross tonnage was originally 29,575 before being increased to 30,718 in 2002. The ship initially had a passenger capacity of 196, which was increased to 550 passengers in 2002. It has a car deck with 2,344 linear meters of roll-off space, accommodating 150 trailers, and can also hold 160 vechiles. It is accessible via two aft ramps. The ship originally had a forward ramp, which has since been closed off. The vessel is powered by four Wärtsilä 16V32D diesel engines, producing 19,700 kW of power, driving two variable-pitch propellers, giving it a top speed of over 19 knots. The combined-use vessel is also equipped with two bow thrusters and a roll stabilizer with two retractable fins. The vessel carries two large enclosed lifeboats, supplemented by two smaller boats, a rigid inflatable boat, and numerous life rafts.[1]

Routes served

Since its commissioning, the Capu di Muru has primarily been used year-round for freight and passenger transport between Marseille and Corsica, initially for La Méridionale under the name Kalliste from 1993 to 2024, and for Corsica Linea since 2026. From 1993 to 2011, the vessel was mainly assigned to the Bastia route with overnight crossings. It also occasionally called at the ports of Ajaccio and Propriano. From the end of 2011, the Kalliste has been primarily deployed on the Marseille-Propriano route, operating three overnight crossings per week. Until 2020, it also regularly served Sardinia with daytime crossings between Propriano and Porto Torres. [3]

From January 1 to March 23, 2023, the ship sailed for a time on the Marseille- Porto-Vecchio route. Chartered by Corsica Linea, it was used at the end of June and later at the beginning of September on new routes operated by the Corsican shipping company to Algeria between Sète, Béjaïa, and Skikda, and in July and August on routes within Corsica between Marseille and L'Île-Rousse. From October onwards, it operated crossings to Morocco between Marseille and Tangier until January 20, 2024, then between April 6 and October 1, it operates between Toulon and L'Île-Rousse with three round trips per week and also serves Livorno from the Balagne region during the summer season. Transferred to the Morocco route in 2025, it initially resumed sailings between Marseille and Tangier, then operated on a Marseille- Nador route between June and September before being withdrawn from service. Sold to Corsica Linea at the beginning of 2026, it has been operating the Marseille-L'Île-Rousse crossings since April under the Public Service Obligation (PSO) agreement.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "M/S KALLISTE (1993)". www.faktaomfartyg.se. Archived from the original on 2024-12-28. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  2. ↑ "Site sur les Ferries Transbordeurs français en Méditerranée". ferries.online.fr. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "M/F Capu di Muru — The Ferry Site". www.ferry-site.dk. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  4. ↑ https://www.lesechos.fr/2014/07/les-grevistes-de-la-sncm-bloquent-un-navire-de-la-meridionale-305902. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ↑ "Le Kalliste a appareillé". France 3 Corse ViaStella (in French). 2014-10-07. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  6. ↑ "Corsica Linea et La Méridionale se partageront les cinq liaisons entre la Corse et Marseille - ICI". ici.fr (in French). 2022-12-21. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  7. ↑ "DSP maritime : La Méridionale prête à larguer les amarres?". www.corsematin.com (in French). 2022-12-11. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  8. ↑ "La Méridionale recentre sa ligne Maroc sur Marseille". Le marin (in French). 2023-02-03. Archived from the original on 2024-04-05. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  9. ↑ https://www.corsenetinfos.corsica/attachment/2471964/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. ↑ "Feu de machine à bord du « Monte d'Oro » de Corsica linea". Le marin (in French). 2023-06-07. Archived from the original on 2024-02-06. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  11. ↑ "Le port de Sète ouvre trois lignes de ferries vers l'Algérie pour cet été". midilibre.fr (in French). Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  12. ↑ "Corsica linea se renforce sur l'Algérie en s'implantant à Sète". Le marin (in French). 2023-05-02. Archived from the original on 2024-12-24. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  13. ↑ "La saison des ferries s'annonce plutôt très bien à Sète". Le marin (in French). 2023-07-04. Archived from the original on 2025-10-14. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  14. ↑ Groizeleau, Vincent (2024-04-05). "La Méridionale : le Kalliste est arrivé à Toulon pour lancer la ligne vers l'île Rousse | Mer et Marine". www.meretmarine.com (in French). Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  15. ↑ "La Méridionale : la nouvelle traversée Toulon - L'Île-Rousse scrutée de près". www.corsematin.com (in French). 2024-04-06. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  16. ↑ "La Méridionale ouvre une nouvelle ligne entre la Corse et l'Italie". Le marin (in French). 2024-05-30. Archived from the original on 2025-07-25. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  17. ↑ Redazione (2024-05-31). "La Méridionale avvicina l'Italia e la Corsica: al via la nuova linea Livorno - Île-Rousse". Economia del Mare Magazine. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  18. ↑ "Le lancement d'une nouvelle liaison entre Toulon et la Corse par La Méridionale fait des vagues". lejdd.fr (in French). 2024-03-15. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  19. ↑ "La Méridionale prépare un changement de braquet sur la Corse et le Maroc". Le marin (in French). 2024-10-01. Archived from the original on 2025-01-08. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  20. ↑ "Conflit social à La Méridionale : le STC lève son préavis de grève". France 3 Corse ViaStella (in French). 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  21. ↑ "La Méridionale ouvre les réservations pour sa nouvelle ligne Marseille-Nador". Le marin (in French). 2025-02-18. Archived from the original on 2025-07-22. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  22. ↑ "La compagnie La Méridionale débute son projet de réorganisation". Le marin (in French). 2025-09-17. Archived from the original on 2025-11-02. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  23. ↑ "La Méridionale vend le « Kalliste » au chantier de démolition turc Sok Denizcilik, après 33 ans de service". Le marin (in French). 2026-01-15. Archived from the original on 2026-01-15. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  24. ↑ https://lemarin.ouest-france.fr/shipping/le-ferry-kalliste-de-la-meridionale-en-passe-dechapper-a-la-demolition-09cff782-0c26-11f1-a992-d10c268d755d. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ↑ https://lemarin.ouest-france.fr/shipping/info-le-marin-corsica-linea-et-la-meridionale-vont-reconfigurer-leur-flotte-0397c78a-17b3-11f1-97f1-526ef9f97286. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  26. ↑ https://lemarin.ouest-france.fr/shipping/le-comite-social-et-economique-de-la-compagnie-corsica-linea-valide-le-rachat-du-ferry-kalliste-de-la-meridionale-c53fce0a-18a8-11f1-97f1-526ef9f97286. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  27. ↑ Volpei-Aliotti, Maria-Serena. "Corsica Linea renforce la desserte de la Balagne avec un navire modernisé, le Capu di Muru". Corse Net Infos - Pure player corse (in French). Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  28. ↑ "Avec le "Capu di Muru", la liaison entre L'Île-Rousse et Marseille monte en gamme". www.corsematin.com (in French). 2026-04-22. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  29. ↑ https://lemarin.ouest-france.fr/shipping/apres-trente-cinq-ans-de-service-le-monte-doro-a-quitte-definitivement-la-corse-le-capu-di-muru-lui-succede-b4996018-3cb9-11f1-9f4b-ab6e07a6e59a. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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