| Port of Genoa Italian:Porto di Genova | |
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 Aerial view of the Harbour | |
 Interactive map of Port of Genoa Italian:Porto di Genova | |
| Location | |
| Country | Italy |
| Location | Genoa |
| Details | |
| Opened | c. A.D. 1000 |
| Operated by | Genoa Port Authority |
| Owned by | Genoa Port Authority |
| Type ofharbour | Artificial |
| Size of harbour | 500 ha (1,200 acres) |
| Land area | 700 ha (1,700 acres) |
| Size | 1,200 ha (3,000 acres) |
| Employees | 4,274 (2009)[1] |
| Statistics | |
| Vessel arrivals |  6,619 (2012)[2] |
| Annual cargotonnage | 51,391,247 (2012)[2] |
| Annualcontainer volume |  2,064,806 TEU (2012)[2] |
| Annualrevenue | €71.6million (2012)[3] |
| Main trades | coal, steel, oil, chemicals, food |
| Website Autorità Portuale di Genova | |
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ThePort ofGenoa is one ofItaly's principalseaports. In 2024, its trade volume reached approximately64.5 million tonnes, making it one of the busiest ports in the country—second only to thePort of Trieste in total cargo tonnage.[4] Administered by theWestern Ligurian Sea Port Authority, the port is a major hub for bothcommercial traffic, handling containers, dry and liquid bulk, andpassenger transport, including cruise ships and ferries.The port'sterminal operations are also a significant economic driver for the region, with an estimatedeconomic impact of €495 million in 2025 and the creation of nearly3,500 direct jobs.[5]Historically, the port has evolved continuously since the era of theMaritime republics. Today, it is a modern logistics hub integrated with Italy'srailway andmotorway networks, providing a crucial link to northern Italy and Central Europe. Its strategic position on theLigurian Sea, along with recent terminal expansions, reinforces its importance within theMediterranean transport system.Notably, the port was the site chosen for the dismantling of theCosta Concordia following theship's disaster.[6]
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The Port of Genoa covers an area of about 700 hectares (1,700 acres) of land and 500 hectares (1,200 acres) on water, stretching for over 22 kilometres (14 mi) along the coastline, with 47 kilometres (29 mi) of maritime ways and 30 kilometres (19 mi) of operativequays.[7]
The Port of Genoa is the natural maritime gateway for the regions ofNorth-west Italy and holds a strategic position relative to the European economic and commercial hinterland. It has a long and storied history.[8][9]
The port extends along the coastline from east (Levante) to west (Ponente). It begins at the Grazie basin, home to shipyards and naval repair workshops near the Foce trade fair district and theDuca degli Abruzzi marina, and stretches to the modern freight terminals located near the city's historicLanterna.[10] The port complex also includes the oil terminal in Multedo, nearPegli, and the container terminal inPra', as well as the renewed Old Port area, which is visually defined by a six-kilometer elevated road.[11] In the coastal stretch betweenCornigliano andSestri Ponente, several piers are dedicated toFincantieri's new shipbuilding yards.Symbolically, the port holds a value for Genoa that transcends its purely functional role; it is intrinsically linked to the city's identity and history.[12] This history also includes intense labour disputes, particularly in the late1980s. These conflicts pitted the port workers (the camalli, heirs to the historiccaravana who loaded and unloaded cargo from steamships at the old docks and grain silos) against the port authority. The authority faced the urgent need for radical modernization to compete with the increasingly dominant ports of NorthernEurope.Following the collapse of thePonte Morandi, debate has intensified around several key infrastructure projects, with potential funding from the European Union. These include the creation of anintermodal freight hub in theProvince of Alessandria, a new customs gate for international goods on the right bank of the Polcevera stream, and the implementation of 24/7 terminal operations. These measures are intended to divert 4,000 heavy vehicles from city traffic during peak hours and help close a short-term competitiveness gap.[13]The port area is also highly accessible for passengers and ferries, with direct connections to the main motorway, rail, and airport networks.[14]
The area of Porto Antico (Old Port) was already inhabited during theNeolithic period.[15] Beginning around 500 BC, afortified settlement was established there, likely founded and inhabited by a mixed population ofLigures,Etruscans, andGreeks. During theSecond Punic War, the settlement, an ally of theRoman Republic, was destroyed, but it was rebuilt around 200 BC. Subsequently, it developed into a regional commercial center.[16] Almost nothing is known about the exact layout or utilization of the natural harbor during this era.
During the period of theBarbarian invasions and theEarly Middle Ages, all communication routes established in the Roman era fell into disrepair. Starting in the9th century, the small port town was repeatedly attacked by theSaracens. These incursions spurred the formation of Genoese naval forces, which played a significant role in the Mediterranean in the subsequent centuries.[17] In the11th century, they participated in the liberation ofSardinia andCorsica, as well as theFirst Crusade, thereby laying the groundwork for the Genoese colonies.[18] The port of Genoa consequently served as both abase for the military fleet and a crucial commercial hub.
TheRepublic of Genoa defeated its major rivalPisa at theBattle of Meloria in 1284,[19] and checked the expansion of its competitor theVenetian Republic at theBattle of Curzola in 1298,[20] thus securing its position in theBlack Sea. These highly favorable circumstances for Genoa between the 11th and15th century explain the importance revested by the port during that period.
The foundation of the current (old) port can be traced back to the fortification of Genoa in theHigh Middle Ages[21] and the creation of the office of the Consoli del Mare (Consuls of the Sea), who oversaw the port's expansion and operations. Around 1128, a first lighthouse (precursor to the modernLanterna) was built on the promontory of San Benigno.[22]
Around 1250, the rocky spur on the eastern side of the natural harbor was extended through landfill to form a breakwater. From the16th century, this was called the Molo Vecchio (Old Mole or Old Quay), in contrast to the Molo Nuovo (New Mole) that was built on the opposite side of the bay, near the lighthouse. The inner bay formed by the Molo Vecchio became the mooring area for numerous vessels, which were likely referred to as Mandria (Herd) or Gregge (Flock). The term Mandracchio, which in modern Italian denotes small fishing ports or marinas, is likely based on Mandria. However, in Genoa, this bay is specifically named Mandraccio. Other explanations suggest the term derives from the Greek Mandràki, meaning enclosure (fence), or has Arabic origins.[23]
Alongside the construction of the Molo Vecchio, a Maritime Arsenal was built, as well as Palazzo del Mare (the Palace of the Sea), later renamed Palazzo San Giorgio.[24] After serving as the seat of government, the palace became the main headquarters for theBanco di San Giorgio (Bank of Saint George), a financial institution of extraordinary importance to the Republic of Genoa. Today, the Port Authority is located in the building. Adjacent to the Molo Vecchio, and very close to the Palazzo San Giorgio, were six wooden landingjetties. These were named after the goods handled there or after the influential families who resided nearby (including theSpinola andGrimaldi). These jetties were replaced by permanent piers in the 15th century.[25][26] By the mid-16th century, the Molo Vecchio had reached a length of almost 500 meters. The city of Genoa and its port were significantly shaped by the architectGaleazzo Alessi. Under his direction, the development of the old port reached its completion.
The quays of the passenger terminals extend over an area of 250 thousand square metres, with 5 equipped berths for cruise vessels and 13 for ferries, for an annual capacity of 4 million ferry passengers, 1.5 million cars and 250,000 trucks.[27]
The historical maritime station of Ponte dei Mille is today a technologically advanced cruise terminal, with facilities designed after the world's most modern airports, in order to ensure fast embarking and disembarking of latest generation ships carrying thousand passengers.
A third cruise terminal is currently under construction in the redesigned area of Ponte Parodi, once a quay used for grain traffic.
There are two major lighthouses: the historicalLanterna, 76 metres (249 feet) tall, and the smalllighthouse of Punta Vagno, at the eastern entrance of the port.[28]
Besides the container and the passenger terminals, the shipyards and the other industrial and cargo facilities, in the port area there are also severalmarinas, where many sailboats and yachts are moored.[29]
{{cite web}}:Check|archive-url= value (help)The port of Genoa is situated in a strategic geographical position that has favoured its development at the centre of the important industrial and commercial area of Northern Italy and southern Europe.
Its geographical position and entrepreneurial capacity have made Genoa a strategic port in the Mediterranean Sea.
The port extends for more than 20 km along the western coast of Genoa, with multipurpose terminals and connections on several main routes.
The port became a fundamental element for the industrial development of Northern Italy and a connection point between the central Mediterranean and Europe along the Rhine-Alpine corridor.
The port system of the Western Ligurian Sea handles over 60% of the extra-EU traffic for the economic system of the North West.
The port of Genoa is the sea gate for many European countries and is situated in a favourable logistical position, with motorways, railway and airport just a few kilometres away.
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44°24′10″N8°55′00″E / 44.4028°N 8.91667°E /44.4028; 8.91667
