Moby Group (Moby Lines, Tirrenia, Toremar)

Nautica · Post by **Nautica** » 10 Apr 2023 08:36

hhvferry wrote: ↑09 Apr 2023 23:44 Notwithstanding the ship's hunchbacked appearance nowadays the Moby Tommy's is my favourite of these Looney Tunes liveries. The more complicated they got as time went by the less effective they were/are.

I totally agree, their liveries went pretty downhill from Moby Dada with indecisive asymmetrical paintings, almost appearing like a settlement between disagreeing designers 😉 Subjectively speaking, Moby Freedom is the nicest livery I've come across, just too bad it wasn't the Moby Wonder that ended up with Eckerö 🥲

Speaking of the Dada-era, I personally found the names to be rather hard to interpret (e.g. what is the meaning behind "Dada", "Niki" and "Zaza"?). Fortunately, it seems to take a turn to the positive with "Moby Fantasy" and "Moby Legacy".

Post by **hhvferry** » 10 Apr 2023 09:13

Nautica wrote: ↑10 Apr 2023 08:36 Speaking of the Dada-era, I personally found the names to be rather hard to interpret (e.g. what is the meaning behind "Dada", "Niki" and "Zaza"?). Fortunately, it seems to take a turn to the positive with "Moby Fantasy" and "Moby Legacy".

For a while they took to naming ships after members of the Onorato family (a few of the freighters meanwhile got the names of members of Moby management). I can't remember who Dada, Niki and Zaza are but if you spend enough time looking through the Onorato family tree they will probably be in there somewhere - although some might be nicknames rather than their formal titles.

Greekferryadept · Post by **Greekferryadept** » 10 Apr 2023 09:27

I am absolutely no fan of these Looney Tunes liveries.

Post by **hhvferry** » 10 Apr 2023 23:04

Here's the Nuraghes entering dry dock in Messina a couple of days ago (source: ships.med Instagram).

Quite close attention is being paid as to what livery she will emerge in from this refit: her existing Tirrenia colours (refreshed as they are looking rather faded); existing colours but with the Moby rather than Tirrenia name on the hull, a full white hull with Moby incl blue whale; or something else.

As a reminder the Nuraghes is the nominated ship to pair up with the Moby Fantasy this summer, but the Fantasy's debut seems ever more remote. The Nuraghes and her sister the Sharden have operated the Moby route from Livorno to Olbia for a couple of years - until now with Tirrenia crews and colours in place.

: Nuraghes at Messina - via ships.med/Instagram

Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CqsdIpOoq4T/

Post by **hhvferry** » 12 Apr 2023 13:13

Further to the previous post here's a news item which mentions the Nuraghes's rumoured new name: Moby Vinci.

[Translated from Italian]
The Nuraghes of Tirrenia-Cin goes on charter to Moby
While waiting for the Court of Milan to issue the verdict on the Grimaldi Group's appeal against the approval of the composition with creditors of Moby and the subsidiary Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione, the companies of the group controlled by Vincenzo Onorato are getting ready for the summer.

For a couple of weeks the ro-pax Nuraghes, a unit of Tirrenia which passed upon privatization to Cin, has been at the Palumbo shipyard in Messina. The technical stop and the presumable change of livery with passage to Moby has created turmoil among the seafarers, with the Campania secretariat of Ugl having requested clarification from the shipping company.

"Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione SpA" said the company in its response, "informs that the change of name and logo on the sides is exclusively a commercial activity as the unit in question, together with the sister ship Sharden, already since 2020 operated on behalf of Moby spa on the Livorno-Olbia route under a time charter regime. The same operating method will be applied in 2023 without affecting the employment levels of the personnel employed by Cin Spa " .

Beyond the new name (it could be Moby Vinci), what has not been clarified by Moby-Cin is whether the now ex-Nuraghes will replace or more likely operate alongside the Moby Fantasy, the first Chinese newbuilding whose entry into service was expected for April but continues to slide in the company's booking system, probably awaiting the final epilogue on the approval of the agreement with creditors. According to SHIPPING ITALY, the christening ceremony is now scheduled for the month of May should take place in the port of Livorno where the new ferry will enter service.

Source: [In Italian]The Nuraghes of Tirrenia-Cin goes on charter to Moby

Post by **hhvferry** » 14 Apr 2023 08:58

Some pictures of that Nuraghes work in progress. Moby Vinci still seems to be the name she'll be getting.

Direct link - https://www.instagram.com/p/CrAU22cIdVn

Post by **hhvferry** » 18 Apr 2023 14:58

Nuraghes now broadcasting as Moby Vinci on AIS from her refit in Messina.

Contrarily enough the Moby Orli, parked next door, has reverted to the name Princess Anastasia.

: Moby Vinci (ex-Nuraghes) AIS signal 18/04/23

Here they are together in a distant view from the Messina port webcam. The Vinci is now painted all-over in a cream undercoat.

: Moby Vinci (ex-Nuraghes) and Moby Orli (ex-Princess Anastasia, Pride of Bilbao, Olympia) from Messina port webcam 18/04/23

Post by **hhvferry** » 18 Apr 2023 15:01

Speaking of the Moby Orli, Ship2Shore has this story of her and the Moby Dada being caught up in some issues due to their previous ownership by a Russian bank

The suspension of the P&I coverage could be a problem or it could be something they can ultimately find a work around for, we'll see. The Dada it will be remembered is not currently allocated a route for this summer but the Orli is scheduled to operate the Genoa-Bastia route.

Link: [In Italian] Sanctions against Russia 'rebound' in Italy: P&I covers suspended for two Moby vessels

Post by **hhvferry** » 20 Apr 2023 07:49

Latest views of the Moby Vinci and Moby Orli.

Direct link - https://www.instagram.com/p/CrIGsS_ouBh

Post by **hhvferry** » 22 Apr 2023 20:09

More pictures of the Moby Vinci ex-Nuraghes here. Now with Moby's 'spurt' logo on her funnel.

Direct link: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrV4tWjIN4T/

Post by **hhvferry** » 22 Apr 2023 20:14

Here we have an impression of what she will look like when complete.

Direct link: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrS2GZ-I-8o/

Post by **hhvferry** » 25 Apr 2023 10:10

As mentioned on the Moby Corse thread that ship rather than the Moby Orli will pick up the Genoa to Bastia route when it resumes in May. This presumably reflecting the sanctions mentioned above that have caught the Orli and the Dada.

The Dada operated for Moby throughout last summer so perhaps she shouldn't have...?

The Orli is still showing as picking up sailings from 1st July. If the Corse has something else lined up after that, and with both the Moby Zaza and Janas now chartered out, Moby will have very quickly gone from too many to too few ships.

Nautica · Post by **Nautica** » 25 Apr 2023 18:13

Thanks to an uploader on Wikipedia, the proposed livery seems to become a reality. I personally feel a Looney Tunes livery is lacking 🥲

Post by **hhvferry** » 25 Apr 2023 18:17

Yes despite the giant blue whale it somehow seems a bit sparse doesn't it! Oh well, I'm sure we'll get used to it.

I wonder if they are making any Moby-style improvements on board. What that would mean I don't know... historically it would have been the appearance of lots of Looney Tunes characters around the ship but I guess that's not going to happen now!

Nautica · Post by **Nautica** » 25 Apr 2023 18:37

hhvferry wrote: ↑25 Apr 2023 18:17 Yes despite the giant blue whale it somehow seems a bit sparse doesn't it! Oh well, I'm sure we'll get used to it.

I wonder if they are making any Moby-style improvements on board. What that would mean I don't know... historically it would have been the appearance of lots of Looney Tunes characters around the ship but I guess that's not going to happen now!

Agreed, Moby's new livery is quite a noticeable transition ;) In my opinion, oversized letters on a white hull style may be a bit unfortunate to help Moby differentiate from GNV, but the whale helps a bit. Perhaps we could cross our fingers that Moby's non-Looney-Tunes era may see the return of similar designs they did with their whale back in the 90s (e.g. with Moby Vincent)?

It would be total speculation from my side, but I can imagine that Moby would use their new Fanatsy-class as an economical model and use similar contractors like those of GSI to supply the interiors. To me, using Stena's model with a familiar design layout doesn't seem unlikely, although I personally would prefer a pinch of cartoon decoration as well ;)

Nautica · Post by **Nautica** » 25 Apr 2023 18:39

I'm aware this probably should be asked on a separate thread, but may I ask if anyone knows why the Sharden/Nuraghes (Moby Vinci), as well as Bithia are lacking windows on the front of the superstructure? 🙃

ropax · Post by **ropax** » 25 Apr 2023 18:48

About this fact without front-windows i am wondering since 20 years... .

I do not like the new look with the Moby-whale... - think how great and modern these ships could look with "black-painted-colored" window-stripes - similar as Corsica-Sardinia Ferries it has.

Post by **hhvferry** » 25 Apr 2023 19:10

Nautica wrote: ↑25 Apr 2023 18:39 I'm aware this probably should be asked on a separate thread, but may I ask if anyone knows why the Sharden/Nuraghes (Moby Vinci), as well as Bithia are lacking windows on the front of the superstructure? 🙃

A friend of mine always refers to this aspect of these ships as the product of "a state run company mindset". Hinting at some combination of parsimoniousness and lack of imagination for nice or extravagant things.

I've never been convinced by this: on a practical level isn't the galley there so it's not a passenger space, on the saloon deck at least. And on the cabin decks I don't think they actually have cabins right at the front, with stairwells, concealed venting and service areas there. And the upper deck is crew cabins.

But then again all these were choices Tirrenia made. And, since the Minoan versions of this series have cabin windows and self services or lounges (depending on which of the four you're on but all with forward views) clearly different choices were made by them. So maybe he's right.

andreg · Post by **andreg** » 25 Apr 2023 20:01

Nautica wrote: ↑25 Apr 2023 18:39 I'm aware this probably should be asked on a separate thread, but may I ask if anyone knows why the Sharden/Nuraghes (Moby Vinci), as well as Bithia are lacking windows on the front of the superstructure? 🙃

For some strange reason the kitchen galley is right on the bow

Nautica · Post by **Nautica** » 25 Apr 2023 22:01

hhvferry wrote: ↑25 Apr 2023 19:10
Nautica wrote: ↑25 Apr 2023 18:39 I'm aware this probably should be asked on a separate thread, but may I ask if anyone knows why the Sharden/Nuraghes (Moby Vinci), as well as Bithia are lacking windows on the front of the superstructure? 🙃

A friend of mine always refers to this aspect of these ships as the product of "a state run company mindset". Hinting at some combination of parsimoniousness and lack of imagination for nice or extravagant things.

I've never been convinced by this: on a practical level isn't the galley there so it's not a passenger space, on the saloon deck at least. And on the cabin decks I don't think they actually have cabins right at the front, with stairwells, concealed venting and service areas there. And the upper deck is crew cabins.

But then again all these were choices Tirrenia made. And, since the Minoan versions of this series have cabin windows and self services or lounges (depending on which of the four you're on but all with forward views) clearly different choices were made by them. So maybe he's right.

That's interesting! I always imagined the feature serving a both an economical and functional purpose: Having windows in the front could require extra reinforcement due to heavy seas (please correct me if I'm wrong), which was indeed proved with Pont-Aven.

On Mont St. Michel (Brittany Ferries), a sign in the Commodore cabins humbly asks the passengers to close the curtains when it's dark outside due to "safety reasons", hinting at the captain most likely not being too fond of reflections on the bridge windows. On Color Fantasy/Magic, Viking Grace as well as RCL's freedom class, the front windows are retracted into a "pit", making it seem plausible that lights are avoided from reaching the bridge.
A powerful counterargument to my speculation are the tremendous windows on Moby Freedom/Wonder/Aki and the former Tallink, Superstar, but I don't know if the curtains are closed at night?

Combining the observations, it could be of Tirrenia's interest not too invest in a more costly superstructure, while giving the captain a more clear view, although there definitely seems to be other solutions to solve "light reflection" on the bridge windows than totally closing up the front.

Nautica · Post by **Nautica** » 30 Apr 2023 13:04

A couple of photos have emerged of Moby Vinci in her new guise (but the unusually bright white hull makes it hard to tell if it's a photograph or an edit? 🙃). The lego-reminiscent eye of the whale seems to differ a bit from that of Moby Fantasy.

Photo source: https://www.pianetanavi.it/nuraghes-rit ... oby-vinci/

ropax · Post by **ropax** » 30 Apr 2023 14:56

Why the blue color on the funnel is different ?
Think how well it would be looks if the window-rows would be painted in blue stripes in a similar style as on Corsica-Sardinia-Ferries.
But so - i don´t generally like the Cartoon-ferries but this new look is also not much better from my opinion.

With the interior-design without front-windows - this is one of a lot mistakes from ship-interior-designer happens sadly very often.
The front-area is the most popular area on each ship - normally used with first class restaurants or lounges and on the other decks with especially front-suites, front-cabins. Also on some Catamarans you must pay extra more money for a seat in the front-section or front-rows (f.ex. FRS). So to arrange there the kitchen or generally to built no windows there is just only stupid.
2 people from my relatives are 2 m big, i am nearly 1,90 m - but the 1997 built Cruise Smeralda has only 1,90m deck-height... - and when i was on ferries travelling from Italy to Tunesia f.ex. most cars has had 1000 things on the roof - and i could continue this with 1000 other big mistakes from ship-(interior-)designers - to see very easy for all normal people directly - but the designers has not seen it. And so some ferries are today nearly unsaleable - if i would be the CEO of any ferry-company, i would not buy a ferry without front-windows and not buy a ferry with only 1,90m deck-height.

Anybody has news about the selling of Bithia (and Janas) ?
She was officially offered by shipbrokers for 40 Mio. - but now she is deleted again (but all the other big ferries are still offered for sale as Superfast XI, Cruise Smeralda, Moby Tommy / Zeus Palace, Moby Dada etc.) - and nowhere to find... .
There was an agreement between banks, Moby and Tirrenia that Bithia and Janas MUST be sold in 2023 (1) and the 2nd in 2024 when the both new-buildings from China are arriving.
Janas is actually on a short-term-charter, ok - but Bithia is the question actually... .

ManiaNave · Post by **ManiaNave** » 01 May 2023 10:35

Moby Vinci docked in Olbia for the first time with her new Moby livery

Post by **hhvferry** » 02 May 2023 12:12

hhvferry wrote: ↑25 Apr 2023 18:17 I wonder if they are making any Moby-style improvements on board. What that would mean I don't know... historically it would have been the appearance of lots of Looney Tunes characters around the ship but I guess that's not going to happen now!

Some interesting comments on Navi e Armatori about what has, and hasn't been done to the Moby Vinci in her Palermo refit - albeit I think not from an entirely neutral observer, the facts are relevant.

[Translated from Italian]
Absolutely nothing has changed. The new [Moby-style] carpets with the symbols of whales are only in the public halls, but the cabin corridors, bars and restaurants, the armchairs and the games room have remained absolutely unchanged from before, even all the signs are with the Tirrenia brand. They have replaced the name "Nuraghes" with "Moby Vinci" at the end of the escalator and "Moby Info" instead of "Reception" in the main vestibule. Also the numbering of the cabins is as before.

Source (registration required): Navi e Armatori: Nuraghes a Moby (?)

Post by **hhvferry** » 15 May 2023 22:09

In a couple of weeks there's some interesting things in Moby's booking engine for their Bastia (Corsica) services.

We'd expect to see the Moby Vincent running a daily round trip from Livorno and (for now) the Moby Corse on round trips from Genoa.

On 27th May they are supplemented for one day only by a parallel Livorno trip by the Moby Kiss (from the Piombino-Portoferraio line - this ship did Bastia sailings when first acquired by Moby).

Meanwhile the Moby Drea is scheduled exceptionally for just a single round trip on the Genoa-Bastia run on the same day. Not sure if I can believe that or not, I doubt she has been to Bastia before. Maybe a booking engine glitch or additional capacity for a special event?

: Moby Bastia sailings 27/05/23