La Méridionale, shipping company operating in Corsica
La Méridionale is a French shipping company that connects Marseille with Corsica, Sardinia, and Morocco. The company operates several modern ferry vessels that carry passengers and vehicles across Mediterranean routes.
The company was founded in 1931 when two families, the Giannoni and Rastit, married and combined their resources. From a small freight operation, La Méridionale evolved in the 1970s into a modern ferry service with specialized vessels for vehicles and passengers.
La Méridionale has connected French and Corsican communities for decades through its shipping routes. The company is deeply rooted in Marseille's port identity and shapes the daily lives of people who travel between the mainland and the islands.
Ships depart from Marseille, with crossings to Corsica taking about 12 hours and typically departing in the evening and arriving in the morning. Routes are well-organized, and departure points are located at accessible spots in Marseille harbor and in Corsican ports.
The company pioneered roll-on/roll-off ships in France, allowing vehicles to drive directly onto and off vessels rather than being lifted by cranes. This innovation in the 1970s significantly transformed freight transport across the Mediterranean.
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