In Livorno, a financing agreement of €90 million (US$98 million) was signed by European Investment Bank (EIB) vice-president Gelsomina Vigliotti and president of Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mar Tirreno Settentrionale Luciano Guerrieri.
The signing event was attended by Eugenio Giani, President of the Tuscany Region, Luca Salvetti, Mayor of Livorno, and Gaetano Angora, Commander of the Port of Livorno. The agreement aims to support the modernization and expansion of the Port of Livorno, enhancing the Italian port’s productivity, safety and environmental sustainability.
The EIB funds allocated for the expansion of the Port of Livorno, a key component of the Scandinavian-Mediterranean corridor within the TEN-T network, will primarily be used for the construction of the Darsena Europa container terminal.
This strategic project aims to accommodate vessels already engaged in international traffic, ensuring the competitiveness and navigational safety of the Port of Livorno. Specific activities include the construction of new breakwaters, dredging operations, establishment of a sediment containment area, and creation of a new access channel to the port’s terminals.
“This agreement further strengthens the EIB’s commitment to supporting the expansion of Italian ports, which are key to fostering the country’s connectivity and competitiveness. The financing announced today will help make the Port of Livorno a leading-edge hub of reference in the Mediterranean, improving its infrastructure, increasing its operational capacity, and promoting technological innovation and environmental sustainability in the port sector,” stated Gelsomina Vigliotti, EIB vice-president.
These infrastructure initiatives will enhance port efficiency and safety and bolster resilience against potential climate-related events like rising sea levels. Additionally, they will contribute to stabilizing the coastline through the installation of a sand pipeline for future replenishment of the sandy coast north of the Arno River estuary.
This investment marks a significant milestone, with the EIB’s total support for Italian ports now exceeding US$1.6 billion.
“We are very proud of today’s signature. This agreement not only demonstrates how involved the leading EU financial institution is in the development of the Tuscan port but also indicates the strategic value of the Darsena Europa project, which the government and the Tuscany Region have acknowledged by giving full political and financial support to its implementation,” explained Luciano Guerrieri, president of Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mar Tirreno Settentrionale.
