+56% in 10 years for a sector that continues to grow
In the last ten years, the Ro-Ro traffic (roll-on/roll-off) has experienced notable growth in Italian ports, recording a increase of 56%. This industry, which facilitates the transportation of vehicles on specially equipped ships, has seen increase its market share from 17% to 26% between 2013 and 2023. Ro-Ro traffic growth has exceeded the industry average by 3%, making it a crucial element of Italian port logistics.
Italian Ports and Leadership in the Mediterranean
Italian ports have consolidated their position as strategic hubs for Ro-Ro traffic in the Mediterranean. Livorno, Genoa, Messina, Trieste, Reggio Calabria and Palermo are among the main Italian airports that appear in the European top 20 for this type of traffic. These ports contributed to Italy reaching the first place in Europe for Ro-Ro traffic volume, with over 71 million tonnes handled in 2023.
The success of these ports is attributable to a combination of infrastructure investments, technological innovations and the adoption of sustainable practices that have improved efficiency and cargo handling capacity. These developments have also increased connectivity with other European and international logistics nodes, strengthening the role ofItaly as a focal point for maritime trade.
The geopolitical impact of growth
Ro-Ro traffic not only strengthens the local economy, but also consolidates the geopolitical position of Italy in the Mediterranean. Internal trade represents 60% of the total, while the main foreign partners include Türkiye, Spain, Greece and Tunisia. This dynamism has also allowed Italy to dominate in the transport sector liquid bulk, ranking second in Europe.
The increase in Ro-Ro traffic has also led to significant economic benefits for local communities, generating hundreds of jobs over the years and stimulating the development of related services. Furthermore, the expansion of this sector has attracted investments from all over the world, further contributing to economic growth.
The opportunities for Abruzzo
THEAbruzzo can concretely "navigate" this growth, focusing on investments in infrastructure and services to improve its competitiveness in the field of port logistics; an example of this are the investments in the ports of Ortona and Vasto, intended among other things for this type of traffic.
More generally, innovations technological, sustainability environment and greater integration intermodal, are key elements to support and enhance the Ro-Ro traffic in the next 10-15 years.
In particular, the adoption of green technologies and the implementation of digital solutions for load management can help reduce environmental impact and improve operational efficiency, as well as network of strategic collaborations with other ports and logistics operators it can expand market opportunities and optimize trade routes.
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