Liberty Lines

Who they are

Liberty Lines is the main fast-ferry operator for the small islands around Sicily. It runs a dense network of hydrofoils and fast craft from the Sicilian ports to the archipelagos around the island, and carries more than 3.5 million passengers a year.

The company was founded in 1993 as Ustica Lines by the Neapolitan shipowner Vittorio Morace, and is based in Trapani. In 2016 it took over the fast lines of Siremar and a majority of Traghetti delle Isole, and renamed itself Liberty Lines after the first ship Morace bought. Since then the passenger-only fast boats on the Siremar public-service routes have been run by Liberty Lines, while the Siremar car ferries are run by Caronte & Tourist Isole Minori.

Network and routes

Milazzo, on Sicily's north-east coast, is the main gateway to the Aeolian Islands: Lipari, Vulcano, Salina (Santa Marina and Rinella), Panarea, Stromboli (including Ginostra), Filicudi and Alicudi. Hydrofoils from Milazzo are the default way to reach these islands. Messina, Reggio Calabria and Vibo Valentia Marina are also on the network; check which of them has an Aeolian sailing on your travel date.

Trapani, on the western tip of Sicily, is the hub for the Egadi Islands (Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo), with some Egadi boats from Marsala. Trapani also has the fast boat to Pantelleria.

Porto Empedocle, near Agrigento, is the port for the Pelagie Islands, Linosa and Lampedusa. Lampedusa is closer to Tunisia than to Sicily.

Palermo is the port for Ustica, north of the city.

Outside Sicily, Liberty Lines runs the Messina–Reggio Calabria passenger line across the strait, and in summer 2026 (25 June to 31 August) a fast boat from Trieste to Piran, Poreč, Rovinj and Mali Lošinj.

Frequency on all routes drops sharply outside summer, and the smallest islands (Alicudi, Filicudi, Linosa) have few winter sailings.

Fleet and on board

The fleet has more than 30 fast craft: about 15 hydrofoils, plus monohulls, catamarans and a growing group of hybrid vessels. The first, HSC Vittorio Morace, entered service in 2024 and is described by the company as the world's first fast hybrid ship. None of the boats carries vehicles.

Passengers sit in enclosed, air-conditioned cabins. Luggage space is limited, so pack light. Journey times range from minutes for the shortest Aeolian hops to several hours for Lampedusa and Pantelleria.

Booking and tips

Lampedusa, Pantelleria and the Aeolian Islands are the most in-demand routes in July and August. Book as early as possible.

Weather is a real factor, especially for the exposed Aeolian and Pelagie routes. Liberty Lines cancels sailings when the sea is too rough for fast craft. If you have a flight or train to catch, build in a buffer day.

If you need a car on the islands, the Siremar car ferries sail on most of the same routes: slower, but able to carry vehicles. See the Siremar guide.