Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Aponte, please tell us about the history of Navigazione Libera del Golfo.

Maurizio Aponte: Our company was founded in 1953, originally as a joint venture between two families who had been active in maritime transport before World War II. It was a merger of two former competitors which made us stronger. In the early years, we focused mainly on the Naples region. Today, we operate ferry services not only in the Bay of Naples but also along the Adriatic coast, where we connect Termoli with the Tremiti Islands. Another important area is Lazio, where we connect the coastal region with Ponza and Ventotene.

Wirtschaftsforum: How large is your company today?

Maurizio Aponte: We currently employ about 200 people, including our maritime crew. Our fleet consists of 13 speedboats and hydrofoils. Each year, we transport about three million passengers, which shows how in demand our services are. Our crew not only ensures smooth transportation but also provides a high standard of service and safety. These figures reflect our continuous growth and demonstrate the importance of maritime transport services for tourism in Southern Italy.

Wirtschaftsforum: Who are your customers?

Maurizio Aponte: Our customers are very diverse. A large part are naturally tourists who use our services to explore the most beautiful islands and coastal regions of Southern Italy. We have both national and international guests – especially from Germany, the USA, and Asia. Another important customer base are travel agencies and tour operators, with whom we work closely. Additionally, we also serve locals who use the ferries for daily trips between the islands and the mainland. With our growing offer of leisure and event trips, we are increasingly addressing private individuals and companies planning special events on the water.

Wirtschaftsforum: What makes NLG special compared to other providers?

Maurizio Aponte: One distinctive feature is certainly our commitment to quality and our ability to flexibly respond to customer demands. In addition to classic transport services, we have expanded our offerings and now also provide leisure trips, including private events, weddings, and tourist excursions. This is a new field of business for us, which has great potential. Our customers appreciate that with us, they get more than just transport from point A to B; they can enjoy unique experiences on the water. We also maintain the highest standards in maintenance – our ships are exclusively maintained in our own shipyards.

Wirtschaftsforum: Did NLG recover quickly from the Covid-19 pandemic?

Maurizio Aponte: 2019 was a record year for us, then came the big slump due to the pandemic. In 2020, tourism was practically at a standstill. From 2021, we gradually picked up speed again. 2022 was already a good year, and in 2023 we were even able to surpass the passenger numbers from 2019. This shows that tourism in our region is growing strongly again and we are on a good path. People's desire to travel and experience the coastal regions is stronger than ever.

Wirtschaftsforum: What challenges do you currently see in your industry?

Maurizio Aponte: A major challenge is the shortage of skilled workers. Especially in technical professions such as engine operators and captains, it has become more difficult to find qualified personnel. For administrative positions, we have a stable situation, but for shipping we need staff who meet certain legal requirements. Fortunately, we manage to retain many employees for the long term through good working conditions and attractive salaries.

Wirtschaftsforum: What role does digitalization play in your company?

Maurizio Aponte: Over the past few years, we have significantly improved our digital services. This includes a modern online booking system and optimized customer communication. Digitalization helps us to make processes more efficient and improve customer service. We also remain open to new technologies such as artificial intelligence, although their impact on our operational area is currently still limited.

Wirtschaftsforum: What are your future plans for the company?

Maurizio Aponte: We plan to further expand the Leisure and Event travel segment. This area is relatively new to us but has great potential. In addition, we want to modernize our existing services and gradually renew our fleet. Sustainability plays a significant role – we are closely watching the new technologies on the market to build more energy-efficient ships. Although we sometimes rely on infrastructure in the south of Italy, which is not as modern as in Northern Europe, we will continue to invest in sustainable solutions.