There are entrepreneurial stories that arise from an intuition. And then there are those that originate from the sea. Grimaldi Lines’ story belongs to the second category. It’s a profoundly Italian story, one of family, vision, and adaptability to a changing world.
It all began in 1947, in Naples, when the Grimaldi brothers, nephews of shipowner Achille Lauro, founded a new shipping company. The first ships were Liberty cargo ships, purchased from the United States to revitalize the Italian fleet. Thus began a journey that would take the group far beyond national borders.
From the very beginning, the Grimaldis demonstrated an extraordinary ability to foresee the future. They went beyond simply transporting goods and tapped into the boom in transatlantic travel, connecting Italy to South America and accompanying the stories of thousands of emigrants.
The turning point: when the sea meets industry
The real turning point came in the late 1960s. In 1969, the Group launched an innovative service for transporting vehicles between Italy and the United Kingdom. This marked the birth of the ro/ro (roll-on/roll-off) segment, destined to become the heart of the business.
From that moment on, the sea became a true logistics infrastructure, also serving Made in Italy: cars, industrial vehicles, and goods began to move on increasingly structured routes, helping to bring Italian industry beyond national borders. The Grimaldi name thus became a point of reference for major international automakers.
This is where one of the group’s strongest insights took shape: turning maritime transport into an efficient network that could compete with road transport, anticipating the concept of sustainability in transport by decades and, at the same time, supporting the spread of Made in Italy products worldwide.
Motorways of the Sea and the European Vision
In the following years, this intuition evolved into an even more ambitious project: the Motorways of the Sea. The Grimaldi Group became one of the pioneers of this model, creating a network of maritime connections that allows the movement of goods and vehicles, reducing traffic and environmental impact.
Growth is constant and strengthened through strategic acquisitions: Finnlines in the Baltic Sea, Minoan Lines for Greece, Trasmed for the Balearic Islands. Today, the group, connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas, is a multinational, integrated logistics company operating globally.
Within this system, Grimaldi Lines represents the passenger face in the Mediterranean, with connections to Sardinia, Sicily, Spain, Greece, and Tunisia.
Travelling by sea, living an experience
With Grimaldi Lines, travel isn’t just about transportation; it’s about experience. Ships become true living spaces: restaurants, cabins, relaxation areas, and services designed to transform the crossing into an integral part of the holiday. Routes like those to Sardinia or Spain are no longer just journeys, but moments to be experienced.
In this sense, the sea once again takes on a narrative and emotional value, just as it did on the great voyages of the past – but with today’s comfort and efficiency.
The figures of an Italian giant
Behind this experience lies an industrial organization, a leading example of Made in Italy excellence.
The Grimaldi Group is now one of the world’s leading operators in the maritime transport of goods and passengers, with a fleet of over 120 vessels and a turnover exceeding €5 billion. In recent years, the group has continued to invest heavily: new ships, more sustainable technologies, and an increasingly modern fleet. Several new vessels have recently been delivered, and many more are being built, some designed to use low-emission alternative fuels.
Passenger numbers also show steady growth, with millions of travellers transported each year along the main Mediterranean routes.
Innovation and sustainability: the path to the future
Looking ahead, Grimaldi Lines continues to invest in innovation and sustainability.
The challenge is clear: making maritime transport increasingly efficient and environmentally friendly, contributing to the ecological transition of the global logistics sector.
From next-generation ships to digital flow management systems, the group aims to maintain its leadership in an ever-evolving market, where efficiency and sustainability must go hand in hand. Ultimately, the story of Grimaldi Lines is the story of an Italy on the move.
An Italy that exports expertise, vision, and entrepreneurial prowess across the sea. Connecting territories, people, and markets, maintaining strong family roots while always looking beyond the horizon.
Congratulations to those who, with their ships, bring Made in Italy to the world!
Learn about other outstanding Italian companies in the transport and mobility sector.