Italian Authorities Seize Ferries Over Corruption, Document Fraud & Tampered Machinery

Italian ferry company Tirrenia-Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione is under investigation for serious charges of corruption, document fraud, and misuse of public funds.

Prosecutors have seized three of the company’s ferries under a probe that also involves dozens of government officials.

Authorities allege that Tirrenia submitted false documents about the environmental condition of its vessels and used counterfeit certifications to mislead the classification societies and ship registers.

These acts are said to have allowed the company to continue operating vessels that did not meet safety or environmental standards.

The investigation, which started in 2023, links back to compliance issues from 2021.

Prosecutors claim that key machinery on board the ferries, including main engines and diesel generators, has been tampered with, altered, or fitted with unauthorised spare parts.

Despite these changes, the vessels remained in service by using fraudulent documents.

So far, three ships have been placed under what officials call “precautionary custody” to prevent further risk to public funds.

However, authorities have allowed the company to keep operating the vessels temporarily to maintain essential ferry services.

Tirrenia currently holds a government contract to run the Genoa to Porto Torres route and receives public funding for this operation.

Investigators believe that by continuing to run non-compliant vessels under false pretences, the company may have illegally benefited from over €64 million (nearly $77 million) in state payments.

The probe has expanded beyond document fraud to include allegations of bribery as well. Per local media reports, about 40 public officials are now under investigation.

Prosecutors claim these individuals received unlawful gifts, including free travel passes, known as “gold card” and other benefits.

The list of officials involved includes police officers, magistrates, and various regional authorities. On April 16, the case is expected to be presented before a panel of judges.

Prosecutors have already asked for two people to be placed under house arrest and for 11 others to be temporarily removed from their duties while the investigation continues.

Tirrenia, through its legal team, responded by saying the company was “astonished” by the accusations. Its lawyers stated that the company had made huge investments to meet pollution control and environmental standards and had incurred major expenses in the process.

Despite these claims, investigators maintain that public documents were forged, engine components were unlawfully altered, and public officials were bribed in exchange for turning a blind eye.

The investigation is still underway but prosecutors believe that the bribery scheme was deeply rooted in the system.

Reference: crewmirror

Source: Maritime Shipping News