According to an Italian trade delegation, which recently visited the China Transpo 2008 conference organized by the Ministry of Transport in Beijing, several China companies have expressed an interest in investing in port projects in Italy. Mr Giancarlo Gabetto MD of Slala which promotes the logistics industry in northwest Italy said on his return to Genoa from the conference said that "Sinotrans is just one of the shipping companies interested in investing in the Italian port and logistics sector.'' Mr Luigi Merlo recently appointed president of the Genoa Port Authority said the port is wooing investment from overseas to expand its terminals. He said that "My plan is to encourage integration between domestic operators and global shipping players. Investment from China port operators and shipping lines is welcome."
Mr Merlo called for consolidation of port authorities to help streamline operations at Italian ports. He said "There are too many port authorities in our country. The North Tyrrhenian ports Genoa, Savona, La Spezia and Leghorn and the North Adriatic ports Trieste, Venice and Monfalcone should co ordinate to have efficient transshipment hubs in the country. Reforms are needed specifying the role of port authorities, to prevent haphazard port development.''
He added that last year, Genoa and Gioia Tauro the leader among Mediterranean transshipments hubs showed good performance, but still growth was much slower in comparison, for instance, with Spanish ports. Mr Merlo said "Italian ports should aim at financial autonomy. Revenues and taxes should take into account more the needs of terminals and infrastructural requirements."
Mr Merlo called for consolidation of port authorities to help streamline operations at Italian ports. He said "There are too many port authorities in our country. The North Tyrrhenian ports Genoa, Savona, La Spezia and Leghorn and the North Adriatic ports Trieste, Venice and Monfalcone should co ordinate to have efficient transshipment hubs in the country. Reforms are needed specifying the role of port authorities, to prevent haphazard port development.''
He added that last year, Genoa and Gioia Tauro the leader among Mediterranean transshipments hubs showed good performance, but still growth was much slower in comparison, for instance, with Spanish ports. Mr Merlo said "Italian ports should aim at financial autonomy. Revenues and taxes should take into account more the needs of terminals and infrastructural requirements."