| La Méridionale | |
| Founder: | Henri et Félix Rastit |
| Location Country: | France |
| Industry: | Maritime Transport (passengers and freight) |
| Num Employees: | 500 employees |
| Revenue: | €109 million |
| Homepage: | lameridionale.fr |
La Méridionale is a French shipping company that provides passage to Corsica. After being managed by STEF, the passenger ferry operator was acquired in May 2023 by the CMA CGM Group.[1] [2]
The company's three vessels serve the Corsican ports of Bastia, Ajaccio and Propriano, and Porto Torres in Sardinia. The fleet is exclusively composed of mixed vessels (freight and passengers).
The entity currently known as La Méridionale began its history with the formation of the Compagnie méridionale de navigation, the oldest carrier serving Corsica. This company emerged when the children of the Giannoni and Rastit families got married in 1931, which resulted in the creation of links with the region.[3]
At first, the company transported petroleum products and general cargo. In 1970 it adopted the Roll-on/roll-off style and strengthened the Corsica-Continent links.
At the beginning of 1990, La Méridionale was the leading French shipping company in the Mediterranean and France's second largest operator of passenger ships at the national level.[4] After joining the STEF group in 1992, it outfitted the Kalliste the following year and obtained both ISM and ISO 9002 certifications.
In November 2001, it renewed its public service concession with SNCM between Marseille and Corsica.[4] A decade later, following the arrival of the ship Piana and existing ships Girolata, Kalliste and Scandola were repainted, La Compagnie méridionale de navigation (known as CMN) changed its logo to La Méridionale.
At the end of 2016, the Girolata was repainted and work was carried out to install a ballast water treatment system[5] - the same modifications were made to the Kalliste the following year. On 1 January 2017, La Méridionale began weekly service between Propriano (Corsica) and Porto Torres (Sardinia).[6]
In May 2023, the STEF group sold the shipping company to the CMA CGM group.
| Image | Ship | Flag | Built | Entered Service | Gross tonnage | Length | Beam | Passengers | Vehicles | Service speed | Current status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piana |  | 2011 | 2011 | 180 m | 30,5 m | 750 | 200 | 27 knots | In service | |||
| Girolata | | 1995 | 2002 | 177,30 m | 27 m | 816 | 200 | 24 knots | In service | |||
| Kalliste | | 1993 | 1993 | 165 m | 29 m | 550 | 160 | 19 knots | In service | |||
| Pelagos | | 1997 | 2020 | 186 m | 25 m | 340 | 200 | 21.5 knots | In service |
La Méridionale's vessels make round trips between Marseille, Corsica (Ajaccio and Porto Vecchio) and Morocco. Sea crossings to Corsica are made at night, with one departure every evening. La Méridionale has four RO-Pax operated under the French flag. From April 2024, crossings between Toulon and Ile Rousse will be operated.[7]
| Routes | Duration | Vessel | Frequency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marseille ↔ Ajaccio | 12 hours on average | Piana | On alternate day | |
| Marseille ↔ Porto Vecchio | 12 hours on average | Girolata | On alternate day | |
| Toulon ↔ Ile Rousse | 12 hours on average | Kalliste | 3x weekly | |
| Marseille ↔ Tanger Med | 40 hours on average | Pelagos | 2x weekly |