The Southern Tyrrhenian and Ionian Sea Port System Authority has approved the Operational Plan for 2026-2028 outlining growth and development priorities for the ports of Gioia Tauro, Corigliano Calabro, Crotone, Vibo Valentia and Palmi.
President Piacenza described the plan as the fundamental tool guiding the Authority’s strategic decisions to support infrastructural, logistical and economic growth, emphasising priorities including strengthened intermodal connections, accelerated energy transition and the creation of conditions to attract new investment and generate employment across the region.
At Gioia Tauro, the largest single intervention is the construction of an interport facility at a cost of EUR€10 million, designed to strengthen the port’s role as Southern Italy’s principal logistics hub and a connection platform between international maritime routes and European freight corridors, with rail transport positioned as the backbone of a modernised logistics system.
The completion of a cold ironing project along the eastern quay is also a central priority, aligned with national environmental sustainability objectives.
Total planned investment at Gioia Tauro for 2026 amounts to EUR€117,230,000.
At Vibo Valentia Marina, the plan envisages a comprehensive programme covering immediate projects including upgrades to the Cortese Dock, renovation of the former nursery school into office space, development of operational areas in the former CIVAM site, redevelopment of port entrances and creation of a new public parking area.
Longer-term strategic projects include extension of the outer breakwater, structural adaptation of the Papandrea, Buccarelli and Bengasi docks, waterfront development and construction of a new southern quay.
Total investment for Vibo Valentia in 2026 stands at EUR€12,325,000.
The port of Crotone, which has recorded significant commercial traffic growth in recent years, will receive EUR€12,500,000 in 2026 for projects including breakwater redevelopment, entrance dredging, fire prevention system completion, redevelopment of the Casa Cantoniera, and extension of the Porto Vecchio waterfront.
At Corigliano Calabro, planned investment of EUR€7,300,000 will fund access road modernisation, administrative office redevelopment and construction of a new Casa degli Sport del Mare dedicated to sailing and water sports promotion.
The Committee also approved a 2026 budget amendment allocating an additional EUR€75,540,674 from the 2025 administrative surplus of EUR€128,900,497 to help finance the planned works, bringing total revenue to EUR€24,684,033 against expenditure of EUR€100,224,708.
In a separate decision, the Committee approved the updated Port Staffing Plan, confirming employment growth broadly in line with 2024-2026 forecasts.
Gioia Tauro recorded particularly strong results, with workforce growth of 91 positions over the past year driven by container terminal expansion, which handled approximately 4.49 million TEUs in 2025, a 14% increase.
The Plan projects overall employment growth of 19.5 percent across the system through 2026, equivalent to approximately 310 new jobs, while identifying gender equality and digitalisation as priority challenges for future action.
Separately, the Authority unanimously approved a supplementary maritime concession request from CADI Srl at Vibo Valentia Marina, covering service quay upgrades, pier reconfiguration, relocation of the fuel dispensing system and construction of a new multipurpose facility.
