The inauguration in Como was attended by Minister Matteo Salvini, who called it: “A virtuous example of how intermodality and smart electric solutions can improve people’s lives”.
Aconcrete step towards increasingly sustainable mobility, attentive to the needs of both tourists and commuters on the waters of Lake Como. Ambrosiana, the hybrid motorboat officially inaugurated on 29 September in Como, is ready to set sail. It is the hundredth unit of the fleet—a milestone for a vessel that honours a glorious past while decisively charting a course toward the future. Its diesel-electric propulsion helps reduce harmful emissions, including noise, as it can enter ports in fully electric mode, benefiting local residents.
But that’s not all: Ambrosiana, capable of hosting up to 350 passengers across three decks, features bike racks and e-bike charging stations, and is built in compliance with the latest accessibility regulations for passengers with reduced mobility. Public service, technological innovation, and local development: Ambrosiana is the perfect ambassador of what the Government Manager of Navigazione Laghi, Pietro Marrapodi, has described as a “transformation” for the organisation. The development plan includes €110 million in investments, new jobs, renovated shipyards, scheduled maintenance, and a growing commitment to sustainability. In this context, after the Ambrosiana motorboat, another unit is expected to arrive by the end of this year, with further deliveries planned through 2027. For Pietro Marrapodi, reaching one hundred vessels in the Navigazione Laghi fleet (35 of them operating on Lake Como) is “the result of a constant commitment to building a modern and sustainable lake-based public transport system”.
To mark the importance of the occasion, the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new hybrid motorboat was held at Pier No. 5 in Piazza Cavour, Como, with the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini present. “The boat is great for American tourists, who can take home a memory of the lake, but above all it remains a daily service for commuters and students. That is what makes Navigazione an essential infrastructure,” stressed the Deputy Prime Minister, highlighting the dual role played by the fleet. For Salvini, the Ambrosiana motorboat “can be a virtuous example of how the much-discussed intermodality and the intelligent use of electric power can improve people’s lives. Ideological electrification at all costs, on the other hand, is something absolutely unsustainable”.
Thanks to the new motorboat, the service offered by Navigazione Laghi is now even more extensive, ensuring reliable connections even during low season months, when the vessel becomes an essential means for students and commuters who need to cross from one shore of the lake to the other. And Alessandro Morelli, Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, who also spoke at the Como event, sought to highlight precisely this public service function: “With Ambrosiana we are celebrating the 100th vessel, but above all we are confirming the challenge of extending the service beyond the traditional tourist season. The lakes are not just for summertime: thanks to a modern and sustainable offer, they become a resource we can use all year round”.
A name chosen by users through an online poll
A tribute to the patron saint of Milan
The name of the new motorboat, Ambrosiana, was chosen through an online poll, an initiative that highlights the enduring bond between Navigazione Laghi and its passengers. It was chosen as a tribute to Saint Ambrose, linking Como and Milan under his protection.
