Monte Express
 Monte Express as Monte d'Oro in L'Île-Rousse | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name |
|
| Owner |
|
| Operator |
|
| Port of registry | |
| Route |
|
| Ordered | 1989 |
| Builder |
|
| Yard number | 288 |
| Laid down | 1989 |
| Launched | 1990 |
| Completed | July 1991 |
| Acquired | 1991 |
| Maiden voyage | July 1991 |
| In service | 1991 |
| Identification |
|
| Status | in service |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Custom ACH Ro-Pax Ferry |
| Tonnage |
|
| Length | 145.00 m (475 ft 9 in) (overall) / 133.50 m (438 ft 0 in) (waterline) |
| Beam | 25.70 m (84 ft 4 in) |
| Draught | 5.60 m (18 ft 4 in) |
| Depth | 8.10 m (26 ft 7 in) |
| Decks | 11 |
| Ramps | Aft vehicle loading ramp |
| Installed power | 4 × Wärtsilä 12V32E main diesel engines (total 19,600 kW / 26,280 hp) |
| Propulsion | 2 × controllable pitch propellers |
| Speed | 19.0 knots (35.2 km/h; 21.9 mph) (service) / 20.5 knots (38.0 km/h; 23.6 mph) (max) |
| Capacity |
|
| Crew | 30–45 |
Monte Express is a mixed-use vessel belonging to the Egyptian company United Marine Egypt (UME). Built between 1989 and 1991 by the Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre (ACH) shipyard for SNCM, it was initially named Monte d'Oro after the Corsican mountain peak of the same name. It entered service in July 1991, on the Marseille - Corsica routes, it was the SNCM's first true mixed-use vessel. Transferred in 2016 to the Corsica Linea fleet following the liquidation of SNCM, it operated year-round on the public service delegation routes between Marseille and L'Île-Rousse until its withdrawal on April 20, 2026. Sold to the UME company, it was renamed Monte Express and chartered by the Moroccan company Africa Morocco Link (AML).
History
[edit]Origins and construction
[edit]In the late 1980s, Corsican authorities and major maritime freight carriers observed that the cargo ships operating between the mainland and Corsica offered insufficient capacity, particularly at the ports of Bastia and Porto-Vecchio. Despite the renewal of the freight fleet with the commissioning of the Monte Cinto in 1984 for SNCM and the Santa Regina the following year for CMN, the increased trailer traffic was difficult for these two vessels to handle. To address this, the two companies implemented temporary solutions. SNCM added the roll-on/roll-off ship Ardèche to its existing fleet, while CMN acquired the second-hand mixed cargo and trailer vessel Saga Star, with a roll-on/roll-off capacity of 1,500 linear meters, which operated between Marseille and Bastia under the name Girolata. However, in accordance with the mainland-Corsica maritime conference governing the modalities of freight traffic since 1955, an equivalence of resources deployed by shipowners is required. Lacking any unit of similar capacity to the Girolata, SNCM then decided to equip its fleet with a new construction which would be assigned primarily to Bastia and Porto-Vecchio.[1]
Primarily defined by its freight capabilities, the future vessel initially appeared to be a 145-meter-long roll-on/roll-off ship with a capacity of 1,500 linear meters of haul-out space, enough to carry around one hundred trailers distributed across three garage levels. However, the design of this new cargo ship would take a unique direction influenced by passenger traffic between the mainland and Corsica. Like freight traffic, passenger transport on the territorial continuity routes was increasing, despite a significant decline in 1983. In 1987, the Corsican Regional Transport Authority (OTRC) had requested additional berths at the main ports of Bastia and Ajaccio, which led to the conversion of four SNCM and CMN cargo ships to accommodate around one hundred passengers. This characteristic would then naturally be taken into account in the design of the future cargo ship. Intended to replace the Monte Rondondo on the Porto-Vecchio route, its capacity was initially set to be identical to the latter, namely 36 passengers. However, this capacity appeared insufficient for serving the far south of Corsica, a popular tourist destination. Furthermore, the success of the cargo ships Monte Cinto and Monte Stello demonstrated the necessity of a capacity of at least 100 passengers. After analyzing the impact on overall traffic and the additional investment required, it was ultimately decided, with the agreement of the Corsican Transport Office (OTRC), to increase the capacity to 500 passengers. In addition to incurring only a relatively small additional cost, this increased capacity would boost service to Porto-Vecchio, particularly during the summer months. The vessel would be equipped with passenger facilities such as a bar, a restaurant, and a snack bar. Passengers would be accommodated in 200 cabins, approximately 100 of which would have private bathrooms. Finally, a garage specifically for passenger vehicles, with separate access from trucks, will be built at the front of bridge 4. State authorities grant SNCM permission to order its first mixed cargo ship. Following an international call for tenders, the Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre shipyard, which previously built the cargo ships Monte Stello and Monte Cinto, is chosen to construct the future vessel, and the construction contract is signed on May 31, 1989. Like its predecessors, it is named after a Corsican mountain,Monte d'Oro, a mountain peak in the Monte Rotondo massif, in Upper Corsica. It is the second ship in the fleet to bear this name, the first being the cargo ship Monte d'Oro which sailed to Corsica from 1970 to 1984.[2]
The Monte d'Oro was laid down on December 27, 1989. Its construction site provides an opportunity to experiment with the latest shipbuilding technologies, such as a computer-controlled ballasting system that adapts its stability according to sea conditions, or the possibility of providing heating and hot water on board by recovering exhaust gases, which can also be used to preheat fuel before engine start-up. Launched on August 21, 1990, it then entered the finishing phase and carried out its sea trials on the 2nd and 3rd, then on the 6th and the 10th. It was received by SNCM on July 13.[1]
Service
[edit]SNCM (1991-2016)
[edit]On July 13, 1991, the Monte d'Oro set sail from Le Havre at 6:00 PM, under the command of Captain Hervé. It arrived in Marseille at 7:00 AM. on July 18. He docked at pier J3. A few days later, On July 23, it set sail for its first commercial voyage to Bastia. Its arrival in its home port, greeted by three blasts of the Napoleon 's horn, takes place the following morning. The ship then enters the summer season, dividing its time between Bastia and Porto-Vecchio. At the end of the summer, on October 5, its christening is celebrated in Bastia. The ship's godmother is Mrs Piazza -Alessandrini,wife of the president of the Corsican Regional Transport Office (OTRC).[2]
On June 27, 1992, the Monte d'Oro inaugurates a new route operated by the Corsica Marittima subsidiary between Porto-Vecchio and Livorno. To mark the occasion, the opening of this new connection to Italy is celebrated with a reception held on board the ship. On July 5, while it is in Porto-Vecchio. A cocktail party is held on the gangway, in the presence of about forty people including Jean-Paul de Rocca Serra, president of the Assembly of Corsica, the ship is even open to the public who can visit it.[1]
On July 27, 1998, the ship suffered a fire in its engine rooms during a crossing between Marseille and Porto-Vecchio. It was immobilized and then repaired in Marseille. In the early 2000s, SNCM underwent a slight change to its visual identity. Thus, during its technical shutdown in the month of February 2005, the Monte d'Oro is adorned with a livery similar to that of the recent Pascal Paoli, characterized by its black hull repainted in blue, the addition of a stripe along deck 5 and the removal of the "Ferryterranée" trademark.[3]
In 2009, SNCM deployed the new Jean Nicoli on the Porto-Vecchio route, replacing the Monte d'Oro. The ship was then transferred to the L'Île-Rousse service from Marseille and Nice, replacing the older Monte Cinto.[4][5] At that time, it became the only ship tasked with transporting hazardous materials to the island.[1]
On July 20, 2014, a fire broke out in the engine room while the cargo ship was docked in Nice. Although the blaze was quickly extinguished, it led to the cancellation of the ship's scheduled crossing to L'Île-Rousse. The 300 passengers were then redirected to Marseille to board the Danielle Casanova, which would take them to their destination. The Monte d'Oro resumed its crossings on July 23 after it has been repaired.[6]
In that same year, 2014, SNCM faced significant difficulties due to a court ruling ordering the shipping company to repay public subsidies deemed illegal. This situation led to the company being placed under court-ordered administration on November.[7] Faced with this situation, it was decided to drastically reduce the scope of the company's activities. Thus, the Monte d'Oro made the last SNCM calls at Toulon and Nice, respectively on the 8th and on the 29th of March 2015.[8] On November 20, following a long legal saga, the Corsican transport company Rocca was chosen by the Marseille commercial court as the buyer of SNCM. The morning of December 17, on its return from its technical stop in Bizerte, the Monte d'Oro arrived in Marseille without the logos of the former SNCM, which had been erased from its hull.[3]
Corsica Linea (2016-2026)
[edit]On January 5, 2016, SNCM officially ceased to exist, and its assets and fleet were transferred to the new entity Maritime Corse Méditerranée (MCM), a subsidiary of the Rocca Group. Like the other ships in the former SNCM fleet, the Monte d'Oro was initially operated by the commercial entity Maritima Ferries.[9] In February, however, the Rocca Group sold the new company to the Corsica Maritima consortium, another bidder for SNCM.[10] Consequently, Maritima Ferries was replaced by a new commercial entity called Corsica Linea. This new company adopted a predominantly red visual identity, a stark contrast to SNCM's historic blue. Gradually, the ships in the fleet were repainted in the shipowner's colors, notably with a red hull.[11] Having already undergone its maintenance, the Monte d'Oro nevertheless retained the old SNCM livery. Also, in order to maintain the legal discontinuity required by the European Council, the cargo ship is chartered to La Méridionale for the entire summer season, from May 30 to September 30.[12] At the same time, a project to sell the ship to the Territorial Collectivity of Corsica as part of the establishment of a regional company by 2019 was announced, but ultimately did not come to fruition.[13][14]
During its technical stop on November 20 to December 21, 2017, the ship was repainted in Corsica Linea colors, and its interior decor and machinery were modernized at a total cost of €2.5 million. The ship made its maiden voyage in its new colors on December 22, bound for L'Île-Rousse, where it arrives the next day under small flags. A reception is organized on board in the presence of the company's general manager, Pierre-Antoine Villanova, elected officials and representatives of the CCI of Haute-Corse as well as passengers.[15]
During the month of April 2018, the Monte d'Oro regularly transports rental vehicles between Marseille and Bastia. It is in this context that the ship makes its first stop in Port-Vendres, Occitanie. On April 16, she would make regular stops there afterwards during the off-seasons. Upon returning from its technical stop in Bizerte in the month of November 2019, it is assigned to the Ajaccio route, replacing the Paglia Orba, which was moved to Bastia due to last-minute changes to the fleet plan and the unavailability of other mixed-use vessels undergoing maintenance. Crossings to L'Île-Rousse are provided during this period by the Danielle Casanova. The Monte d'Oro, however, calls at the port twice a month for the transport of hazardous materials.[3]
In January 2020, the ship's operations were disrupted due to industrial action by the La Méridionale sailors' unions, resulting in the blockade of some Corsica Linea ships in Marseille. The Monte d'Oro was then diverted to Toulon on January 11 and it docked in the morning. It is subsequently immobilized in La Seyne-sur-Mer until January 13, before departing for Nice to load 75 trailers bound for L'Île-Rousse.[16] Immobilized for the entire duration of the operation, it resumed service on January 13.[3]
In the morning of July 21, as the ship docked at the port of L'Île-Rousse, one of the cables on the main ramp snapped during its opening. Unable to close the ramp, the scheduled crossing to Marseille was cancelled. The Monte d'Oro, however, managed to set sail again on July 25, after the door was closed with the help of a crane. Arriving in Marseille the next day, it was then immobilized for repairs until August 11.[2]
On June 6, 2023, shortly after the ship left L'Île-Rousse for Marseille, a fire broke out in the engine room due to an accidental spill of fuel onto the running engines.[17] The flames were quickly extinguished by the ship's fire suppression systems. Despite this rapid intervention, the fire caused significant damage to one of the propeller shafts and the engine compartment. The Monte d'Oro, assisted by CROSS Med, managed to resume its journey to Marseille at reduced speed. Due to the presence of hazardous materials on board, only about fifty passengers were on board, and none were injured. The following day, the cargo ship arrived in Marseille at 2:30 p.m., significantly behind schedule. The damage caused by the fire necessitated its immobilization for repairs for the entire summer season.[18] Repaired in Marseille during the winter while in dry dock, it only resumed its sailings to L'Île-Rousse on January 10, 2024, after seven months of immobilization.[19]
At the end of the 2025 summer season, the question of the Monte d'Oro 's retirement from service, which will reach 35 years of operation the following year, begins to arise. Initially, its decommissioning is scheduled for mid-June 2026, the period during which the new Capu Rossu is expected to begin its rotations. In January 2026, however, another vessel, A Nepita, prematurely left the fleet due to Stena Roro's desire, as the company had been chartering the ferry from Corsica Linea, to make it available more quickly for another charter.[20] To compensate for the absence of the Nepita, whose charter was initially scheduled to last until the autumn, the company was forced to reschedule the Monte d'Oro to L'Île-Rousse for the summer season. But while the mixed cargo ship had been given a reprieve within the fleet, Corsica Linea ultimately found a replacement by acquiring the Kalliste from La Méridionale in March, a vessel initially destined for scrap.[21] First considered and then postponed, the withdrawal of the Monte d'Oro was finally brought forward to April, the date on which its successor entered service.[2]
On April 19, 2026, the ship departed L'Île-Rousse at 5:50 p.m. and left Corsica for the last time.[22] For its final voyage under the Corsica Linea banner, its departure exceptionally took place on Sunday evening instead of Saturday evening, the cargo ship having spent the evening at the dock and been decorated for its last stop in Balagne. The following day around 8:00 a.m., the Monte d'Oro ended its career under the French flag by docking at berth 115 in Marseille, bringing to a close nearly 35 years of service on the Corsican routes, including 25 years for SNCM, 10 years for Corsica Linea, and 17 years serving L'Île-Rousse. Two days later, on April 22, it set sail from the Phocaean city at around 10 a.m. After passing along the breakwater and passing one last time between the Frioul islands, it left France for good and set course for Cyprus where it is to be delivered to its new Egyptian shipowner.[2]
United Marine Egypt (since 2026)
[edit]Arriving in Limassol on the morning of April 27, the ship was delivered to its new owner on May 6 and became the Monte Express. On 15 May it arrived in Alexandria, Egypt.[23] However, despite the planned deployment in the Red Sea, on 26 May the ferry left Egypt for Algeciras, which on 6 June started serving Tangier Med on behalf of Africa Morocco Link, replacing the Stena Europe.[24][25][26][27]
Facilities
[edit]The Monte Express has 8 decks. Although the ship actually spans 10 decks, two of them are devoid of garage space. Passenger quarters are located on deck 5 and parts of decks 4 and 6, while crew quarters occupy a large portion of deck 6. Decks 2, 3, and 4 house the garages.[2]
Common areas
[edit]The Monte Express offers its passengers classic facilities. These include a lounge bar located at the stern on deck 6, and a restaurant also located at the stern on deck 5. Following the ship's acquisition by Corsica Linea, the interior decor was modernized during a technical refit at the end of 2017.[1]
Cabins
[edit]The Monte Express has 203 private cabins located on decks 4 and 5. They can accommodate from two to four people and 129 of them have full bathroom facilities including shower, toilet and sink.[1]
Features
[edit]The Monte Express is 145 meters long and 25.70 meters wide, with a draft of 6.30 meters and a gross tonnage of 22,070 GT. The ship can accommodate 528 passengers and has a 1,615-meter roll-off garage with space for 114 freight units and 130 vechiles, accessible via two stern ramps: one 17.10 meters wide for trucks and the other 2.70 meters wide for cars. Propulsion is provided by four Crepelle/Wärstilä Vasa 12V32 semi-high-speed diesel engines, each producing 14,800 kW and driving two KaMeWa variable-pitch propellers, giving the vessel a speed of over 20.7 knots. The combined-use vessel is equipped with a 1,200 kW KaMeWa bow thruster and an ACH twin-fin roll stabilizer. The vessel carries four large enclosed lifeboats, supplemented by two medium-sized lifeboats, a rigid inflatable boat, and numerous inflatable rafts.[2]
Routes served
[edit]Since entering service, the Monte d'Oro has provided freight and passenger transport between the mainland and Corsica. At the beginning of its career, the ship primarily operated overnight crossings on the Marseille - Bastia route and secondarily on the Marseille- Porto-Vecchio route, particularly during the summer season. From 1992 onwards, in addition to its primary role, it was also deployed on the Porto-Vecchio- Livorno route operated by the subsidiary Corsica Marittima. Replaced on the Bastia line in 1994 by the Paglia Orba, the Monte d'Oro initially switched to serving Ajaccio, then Porto-Vecchio in 2003, and finally Marseille - L'Île-Rousse and Nice - L'Île-Rousse in 2009. At the end of 2014, it operated a crossing between Toulon and L'Île-Rousse every Sunday until the line was discontinued in March 2015.[1]
Transferred to Corsica Linea in 2016, the Monte d'Oro is primarily assigned to the Marseille - L'Île-Rousse route, which it serves overnight, year-round, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, under a public service delegation (DSP) subsidized by the Corsican region. Since 2018, during peak season, it has also made an additional crossing on this route every weekend, with a faster frequency, departing at night and returning during the day, or vice versa, depending on the period. During the low and mid-seasons, it is sometimes used to transport goods or new vehicles to Bastia and Ajaccio, as well as Port-Vendres in Occitanie until 2020. Despite successive new DSP contracts, the vessel will retain its assignment to L'Île-Rousse and its usual frequency until April 2026.[1]
Transport of hazardous materials
[edit]Since its transfer to the L'Île-Rousse route in 2009, the Monte d'Oro has consequently been responsible for transporting hazardous materials to and from Corsica. With its facilities located far enough from the town center, L'Île-Rousse is the only Corsican port authorized to unload this type of cargo, which can vary in nature from liquid oxygen destined for the island's hospitals to much more hazardous cargo such as explosives. To ensure the safety of the ship and its crew, the crossings on which these goods transit are not open to the public. During loading and unloading operations, which must be carried out during daylight hours, all public establishments located within 150 meters of the quay must close, and no passengers or vehicles are allowed within the port area. The ship makes this type of crossing several times a month, mostly from the mainland to Corsica.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "M/F Monte Express — The Ferry Site". www.ferry-site.dk. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "M/S MONTE D'ORO (1991)". www.faktaomfartyg.se. Archived from the original on 2024-12-22. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- 1 2 3 4 "Monte d'Oro (1991-), IMO 8911516". www.faergelejet.dk. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ LUZ, Propos recueillis par Jean DA. "Sncm : 43% des ventes en agences mais le Net gagne du terrain". TourMaG.com, le média spécialiste du tourisme francophone (in French). Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ "La SNCM entre dans une nouvelle ère". www.latribune.fr (in French). 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ "Nice : Incendie à bord du Monte d'Oro, navire de la SNCM". France 3 Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (in French). 2014-07-20. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ "La SNCM placée en redressement judiciaire". BFM BUSINESS (in French). 2014-11-28. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ "La SNCM met fin à ses touchées de Nice et Toulon". Le marin (in French). 2015-03-26. Archived from the original on 2025-10-07. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ https://lemarin.ouest-france.fr/shipping/ne-dites-plus-sncm-mais-maritima-ferries-a7b848f0-212a-4d7f-9de7-c6a35e1862bb.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ "Corse : Rocca va céder 100 % de MCM à Corsica Maritima". Le marin (in French). 2016-02-14. Archived from the original on 2024-12-23. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ Groizeleau, Vincent (2016-03-29). "Corsica Linea : Le Jean Nicoli sort de cale sèche | Mer et Marine". www.meretmarine.com (in French). Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ Groizeleau, Vincent (2016-07-07). "La Méridionale affrète le Monte d'Oro | Mer et Marine". www.meretmarine.com (in French). Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ "Corse : les « Monte d'Oro » et « Paglia Orba » rachetés par la CTC". Le marin (in French). 2016-07-30. Archived from the original on 2024-12-23. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ "L'Assemblée de Corse renonce à acquérir deux navires de l'ex-SNCM - Capital.fr". www.capital.fr (in French). 2018-07-27. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ Jean-Paul-Lottier. "L'Ile-Rousse : Réception à bord du Monte d'Oro "relooké"". Corse Net Infos - Pure player corse (in French). Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ rédaction, La (2020-01-15). "Une escale exceptionnelle pour le ferrie "Monte d'Oro" à Nice". Nice-Matin (in French). Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ "L'incendie du « Monte d'Oro » en juin 2023 est dû à une fuite de combustible". Le marin (in French). 2024-03-13. Archived from the original on 2024-12-22. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ "Un incendie dans la salle des machines du Monte d'Oro". www.corsematin.com (in French). 2023-06-07. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ "Le « Monte d'Oro » de Corsica linea remis en service après sept mois d'absence". Le marin (in French). 2024-01-31. Archived from the original on 2025-07-20. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ https://lemarin.ouest-france.fr/shipping/affrete-par-corsica-linea-depuis-2020-le-ferry-a-nepita-quitte-la-corse-pour-le-canada-66384ed2-eb1c-11f0-bb7c-fe9a962cb15d.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ "Corsica Linea et La Méridionale : l'heure des grandes manœuvres maritimes". www.laprovence.com (in French). 2026-03-09. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ 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) - ↑ "MONTE D'ORO sold out of Corsica Linea's fleet". Shippax. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ Koefoed-Hansen, Michael (2026-06-06). "Africa Morocco Link chartrer MONTE EXPRESS og VILNIUS". Færgenyt (in Danish). Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ "To MONTE EXPRESS στην AFRICA MOROCCO LINK - Αρχιπέλαγος, Η 1η ναυτιλιακή πύλη ενημέρωσης στην Ελλάδα" (in Greek). 2026-06-04. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ "AML secures MONTE EXPRESS for OPE 2026". Shippax. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ Lorenzo, Juan Carlos Díaz (2026-06-06). "El ferry "Monte Express" refuerza la línea Algeciras-Tánger Med al servicio de AML en la OPE 2026 » Puente de Mando". Puente de Mando (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2026-08-11.