LUGANO – Real infrastructure, certain timelines, clear rules and a port capable of competing on global markets, these are the guidelines of the administrative mandate announced by the Authority’s president: “Our challenge – he began – is to build a solid port system, integrated with industry and European markets, attractive to investors but fully respectful of the environment and the territories that host it.”
Precisely from this perspective, the president announced that by mid-October the first mega-caisson for the new breakwater of Genoa will be completed and positioned, thus initiating the new construction line which already has twelve standard caissons installed.
“The project, worth 1.3 billion euros, is the largest maritime construction site in the world and will allow access for ships up to 400 meters in length at full load. The breakwater is a source of pride for national engineering and will radically change the port’s capacity,” declared Paroli.
The breakwater is part of an overall infrastructure plan of 3.3 billion euros, which also includes quays, port hinterland areas, new access routes and the double-decker arch bridge, which was awarded in 2023 as the world’s best project in its category.
“The goal – he emphasized – is to make the flow of goods smoother, faster and more sustainable, combining functionality and aesthetics in a modern development model that is respectful of the environment.”
But for the president, infrastructure works alone are not enough. “To attract investments, strong governance, legal stability and administrative clarity are needed,” he explained, citing the recent resolution of a complex terminal concession case, which made it possible to guarantee operational continuity, coherence with planning, and job protection. “It wasn’t easy, port concession rules are complex but since my arrival and in less than 3 months, with great dedication and sacrifice from the authority’s staff, we have resolved an emblematic case that risked producing negative effects on the operations of our ports and also on the image of the Italian port system.” President Paroli further added: “We wanted to send a clear signal: those who invest in Italy must have the certainty that they can invest in Italian ports, one can invest, but we must guarantee certain and consistent rules.”
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Paroli then highlighted the Ligurian model as a virtuous example of institutional collaboration: “Genoa today is the laboratory for convergence between the Region, the Municipality, the Government and the two Ligurian Port System Authorities. This synergy allows us to achieve results quickly and with reduced environmental impacts.”
Another central theme, the digital transition and cybersecurity. “We have invested over 2 million euros in cybersecurity in the 2026 budget, in response to a doubling of attacks compared to 2023. We have also allocated 3 million euros to the Port Community System: data accompanies the goods and often precedes them; protecting IT systems is now an absolute imperative.”
On the international front, Paroli issued a warning about the experimentation with new Arctic routes:
“It is a dangerous suggestion that could cut out the centrality of the Mediterranean and alter a very delicate ecosystem.”
Europe must defend the coherence between the environmental transition and commercial development, safeguarding the strategic centrality of the Mediterranean after the Red Sea and Suez crisis.
In closing, the president reaffirmed the strategic continuity of the Authority’s action: “We are building a long-term governance, where physical and digital infrastructure proceed together. The visible results already in the first three months of my mandate are the result of intense work by all the structures of the AdSP. Commitment, credibility and trust are the true foundations of our port system.”
