Motonavi Andes Negrini Merges Fleet for River and Lake Tourist Cruises
The Mincio and Po fleet has merged into a single entity after years of operating on two competing fronts.
It is now called Montonavi Andes Negrini, a result of the agreement that led to the creation of a cooperative between Motonavi Andes and Navigazione Fluviale Turistica, both united by family origins and the surname: Negrini.
The Navigational Units
Thus, the vessels sailing under the same flag include the motor ships Andes 2000 (capacity of 550 passengers), Sebastiano N. (270), Andes I (252), Andes II (192), plus the catamaran Virgilio (200).
These units travel around 15 knots (25 km/h), while the catamaran reaches 25 knots.
The Andes 2000 is equipped with a onboard restaurant and a climate-controlled lounge with 200 seats, which can be transformed into a conference room.
River Tourism and Future Perspectives
River tourism is not a negligible component in the overall panorama; in 1999, among the five units, over 100,000 passengers traveled.
Presenting the cooperative, president Giuliano Negrini and vice-president Gabriele Negrini outlined their plans for 2000, especially regarding new developments.
The most significant is the emerging opportunity to navigate the most fascinating of the three Mantuan lakes, Lake Superiore: a 60-seat electric-powered boat is in advanced planning, with environmentally compatible impact and plans to incorporate solar and wind energy support.
New Acquisitions and Projects
The Challenger, a fast motor vessel, is being completed at the famous Rossi shipyards in Viareggio-Pisa. It comes from the off-shore sector and was previously involved in attempting an oceanic speed record for the Nastro Azzurro.
Continuing traditional operations, the five units of Motonavi Andes Negrini will always follow the Padana itineraries from Cremona to the Venetian Lagoon, Venice, and the Delta, as well as promote environmental values of the Mantuan lakes and the Mincio park, with plans to reach the Romagna coast and even the Adriatic via the Fissero-Tartaro-Canal Bianco waterway.
