Ships and hydrofoils at risk in Gulf of Naples

(ANSA) - ROME, 21 OTT - Maritime connections in the Gulf of Naples are at risk of grinding to a halt over the next two days due to a fuel shortage caused by striking truckers. Supplies of diesel for ships and hydrofoils are running critically low, and the shipping companies that provide services to Ischia, Capri, and Procida are notifying authorities and passengers of an impending suspension of some routes. Already today, several connections from Capri have been cancelled, and by tomorrow morning, other vessels may remain docked in port; unless fuel supplies are replenished, the shutdown could progressively extend to most maritime services. Caremar was the first company to report the emergency to the Prefecture, noting that its fuel reserves are nearing exhaustion. Medmar has also issued a similar statement, clarifying that while services from Naples and Pozzuoli to Ischia and Procida can be maintained until tomorrow evening at the latest, some vessels will be forced to stop operating as early as tomorrow. The situation for high-speed ferry services is much the same. Alilauro has issued an advisory to customers warning of potential cancellations and schedule changes in the coming days, and Gestur has released a similar notice. The emergency could soon affect Capri as well; while Snav currently rules out a total suspension of service, it has announced the need to adjust schedules and reduce the number of daily crossings. The company warns that, without new supplies by the weekend, it will no longer be possible to guarantee regular service. A potential halt to maritime transport threatens to have serious repercussions for tourism, which remains active on the islands in the Gulf despite the arrival of autumn. On Ischia, nearly one hundred accommodation facilities are still open, and there is a significant number of foreign visitors—particularly Americans. For them, as well as for the islanders, any disruptions to maritime connections could be compounded by issues with local land-based public transport: EAV Bus has stated that it can maintain service only until next Monday, while on Procida, bus services could come to a standstill as early as Saturday. There are also concerns on Capri, where about twenty hotels remain open and hundreds of day-trippers continue to arrive daily. Any reduction in ferry or hydrofoil services could create difficulties for both arrivals and departures. Finally, on top of the transport crisis, there is the risk that food supplies on the three islands could gradually run out, given that the last shipments arrived last weekend. (ANSA).
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