Port of Ravenna: Window to Europe at the Asian Logistics Biennale 2024

June 25, 2024, Shanghai – At the 2024 Asian Logistics Biennale, the Port of Ravenna, a strategic maritime hub in northern Italy, fully demonstrated its advanced service capabilities in the logistics field. As an important link between China and Europe, the Port of Ravenna is not only one of Europe’s core ports, but also a key component of the two major transport corridors of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) – the Baltic-Adriatic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. . These corridors play a vital role in improving road and rail infrastructure and facilitating the efficient movement of goods by rail.

With its extensive road and rail cross-modal connection network, the Port of Ravenna has become an ideal transportation hub for access to northern Italy and Central Europe. In addition, it has leading infrastructure for Italian trade with the Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea and Middle Eastern markets. With significant investment in ongoing local development projects, the port could become an important reference point for the Far East and Chinese markets, which currently account for 13.9% of port traffic.

The Port of Ravenna has 14.5 kilometers of operating terminals, 27 private terminals, 846,000 square meters of warehouses and 1,414,000 square meters of storage yards, with the ability and infrastructure to effectively handle cargo. There are 258 companies operating in the port, providing direct and indirect employment to more than 15,000 people.

In 2023, the port’s total traffic volume will reach 25.5 million tons of cargo, establishing its dominant position in Italy’s bulk and general cargo fields. Excluding oil transportation, the Port of Ravenna is Italy’s fourth largest port by traffic volume.

The Port of Ravenna prides itself on its vitality and resilience. After the epidemic, its traffic volume has grown at a remarkable rate, 25% higher than the average growth rate of other Italian ports. This advantage is further strengthened by the 2 million square meters of free trade logistics area that is a unique feature of Italian ports. The core drivers of this change are the SAPIR Group and TCR Automated Container Terminal, which is currently developing a new automated container terminal within the framework of the Ravenna Port Hub project. Currently, TCR has become a strategic container terminal for Chinese cargo destined for northern Italy and Europe, providing complete terminal services and maritime connectivity to the Far East.

At the Asian Logistics Biennale, the Italian delegation demonstrated its core strengths and ongoing projects, including the Ravenna Port Center project. As can be seen from the renovation of most of the terminals and the improved plan to deepen the seabed in the port area to -14.5 meters by 2026, the port will be able to welcome larger ships into the port in the future, enhancing its competitiveness.

The Port of Ravenna is the only port in the Emilia-Romagna region, which is also home to Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Ducati, Barilla, Parmigiano-Reggiano It is the birthplace and industrial innovation center of many internationally renowned brands such as Parmiggiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, Technogym and MaxMara.

Therefore, the local government actively promoted the process of the Simplified Logistics Zone (SLZ) in the Port of Ravenna. The SLZ will significantly simplify the necessary procedures and thereby stimulate emerging investment in the port. Additionally, a free trade zone will be established within the SLZ, a move with far-reaching implications for relations with the EU market. At the same time, the Port of Ravenna is also implementing new digital tools aimed at improving navigation safety and simplifying paperwork related to the movement of goods.

These optimization measures will make the Port of Ravenna an ideal location for new relationships and business opportunities in the Italian and European markets. Rail transport is part of the green growth strategy of the Port of Ravenna. As a logistics and cross-modal hub for northern Italy and Europe, Ravenna has also demonstrated stable growth in its rail transport (14% in total), mainly due to Dinazzano Po, the leading rail and intermodal logistics company serving it. Through a series of renewable energy and sustainable development projects, the Port of Ravenna will also strive to become an energy hub for Italy and the Mediterranean.

The Port of Ravenna authorities and the Emilia-Romagna region are located at booth W4.349 of the 2024 Asian Logistics Biennale. The participating delegations will provide visitors with detailed demonstrations of ongoing development projects and policies introduced by local government agencies, and look forward to expanding fruitful cooperation with Chinese market operators.