There has been talk for some considerable time of a shuttle service bringing commuters from Cap d’Ail to Port Hercule, but while that project remains little more than a Mediterranean mirage, it’s now only a matter of weeks before a Monaco to Ventimiglia service starts in earnest.

The water shuttle service will use an AV2 High Speed Shuttle that is now undergoing sea trials, but it will carry a maximum of just 12 passengers and poses no threat to the train service from the Italian border town.

The 12-metre catamaran was designed and built by Advanced Aerodynamic Vessel in La Rochelle, France. Monaco One has a top speed of more than 40 knots and has been designed with fuel economy in mind..

Delivery of the twelve-passenger Monaco One is expected by the end of February and she will enter service when the time is ripe to link Monaco with the Cala del Forte Marina in the Italian border town. Travel time will be 15 minutes.

Cala del Forte Marina – developed and administered by Ports of Monaco – is now open and fully operational with an official inauguration due by the start of the summer.

PHOTO: Monaco One undergoes sea trials