Aponte, Grimaldi in takeover rumour

Two Italian operators have forged an unprecedented alliance to avoid the consequences of overcapacity on the short-sea route between Civitavecchia and Palermo.

Aldo Grimaldi's Grandi Navi Veloci and Gianluigi Aponte's SNAV have reached agreement to co-ordinate schedules and use just two of the four vessels to offer three departures a week and sell tickets for both their own and the partner's ships.

Observers speculate that the agreement may mark the first step in Aponte's take-over of Grimaldi's shrinking empire. Two years ago the UK-based finance house Permira bought an 80% stake in Grandi Navi Veloci through a new company called Vento, of which Grimaldi holds 20%.

Aponte may be about to bid for some or all of Permira's stake in the ferry company. SNAV's commercial director at SNAV, confirmed to Fairplay that 85-year-old Grimaldi and 61-year-old Aponte met and discussed a range of business opportunities.

Brindisi - Igoumenitsa

1 x Foot Passenger(s) Return

Travelling on: 02/06/2012 - 04/06/2012

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Civitavecchia - Porto Torres

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Civitavecchia - Trapani

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£318

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