As shipping costs rise, Virtu Ferries claims importers are looking to Sicily

A number of retailers and importers are switching to the Sicilian market for their supplies as pre-COVID-19 freight costs are maintained on the ferry to the neighbouring island despite worldwide shipping increases, according to the company that operates the service.
Lower freight costs are also being offered to small and medium enterprises, Virtu Ferries said.
The ferry company says it aims to assist emerging businesses in the belief that “cutting costs in the current situation is essential for repositioning post-COVID-19”.
Importers sourcing products from Italy, and in particular Sicily, have not seen an increase in freight charges from pre-COVID levels, the company said, adding this was “firmly against the world trend”.
Managing director Henri Saliba was unable to supply statistics on the businesses shifting to Sicily to stock up on supplies and reduce their cost of carriage.

But he said “a number of bookings from not-so-frequent cargo clients have been noticed”, while small businesses and the catering industry were “asking questions about the market next door”.
“There has definitely been a wave of interest in Sicily from local retailers, importers and SMEs to service their...