In the second quarter of 2026, the integration of Italian ports into global container lines is increasing, both compared to one year earlier and compared to the previous quarter.
This is shown by the latest update of the Lsci (Liner Shipping Container Index) of Unctad, the UN agency for international trade, developed with the contribution of the analysis firm Mds Transmodal, which takes into account several factors: the number of scheduled ship calls per week in the country; the annual containerized cargo handling capacity (in Teu); the number of shipping companies and regular liner services reaching it; the hold capacity (in Teu) of the largest ship used in such connections; the number of other countries with which it is directly connected, i.e., without transhipment.
In particular, the value recorded for the second quarter for Italy is 290.0 points, up by 0.6 from the first three months of 2026 and by 2.3 compared to one year earlier. This figure allows the Peninsula to rise to 17th place in the world for the level of container interconnections, after having ‘stayed’ in 18th place for five consecutive quarters.
Behind this recovery, however, lies a less brilliant dynamic. The monthly Lsci readings in fact show a gradual decline over the course of the quarter: from 291.36 points in April to 290.02 in May, down to 288.62 in June. A trend to be kept under control, also considering the evolution of the situation in the Middle East and the global economy in general that may unfold in the coming months.
