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An unusual journey was completed today when an experimental amphibious vehicle from Iveco, created by Milan-born engineer Maurizio Zanisi based on the Iveco Daily 4x4, successfully crossed the Corsica Channel. The voyage marked a continuation of the cruise along the River Po made last year by the amphibious Panda Terramare, which was also developed by Zanisi.

The aim of the initiative, in support of the LVIA, the solidarity and international cooperation association, is to draw attention to the injustice experienced by sections of the population in Mali who are deprived of their right to water. In particular, it will promote a water supply and sanitation project implemented along the Niger River, which is supporting 12,000 people by guaranteeing each person 25 litres of drinking water per day on a permanent basis.

At first glance the Iveco Terramare does not appear to be very different from the vehicle from which it is derived. In reality, beyond the mechanical parts, confirming their excellent solidity and quality, the intervention made by Zanisi is considerable, starting with the wave management, the internally welded steel hull, the waterjet propulsion system and the supplementary fuel tanks with a total capacity of 300 Litres allowing sufficient on-board stowage to guarantee the successful sea crossing. The vehicle is capable of a top speed on road of 100 km/h and in the water of 10 km/h.

Accompanying Maurizio Zanisi behind the wheel of this unique vehicle, which set out late yesterday afternoon from Bastia, was Roberto Cibrario, Iveco Senior Vice President Special Vehicles, the Iveco business unit which leads the market for transport used in off-road applications, civil protection, fire-fighting and peace missions, with annual invoices exceeding €1 billion of which more than 70% comes from countries other than Italy.

At the end of the crossing, which took almost 14 hours for the 75 nautical miles, equal to over 140 km, the Iveco Terramare emerged from the water in the port of Viareggio and parked up at the LVIA stand, as part of “Viareggio Mare”, the maritime exhibition dedicated to all aspects of the sea which opened its doors today and ends on Monday 2 June.