The RENEW4GE project

THE RENEW4AGE PROJECT 

The project "RENEW4GE – a Rail and sEa eNhancEment to Widerly connect Genoa to Europe" - 2020-IT-TM-0037-S is co-funded by the DG Move within the framework of the CEF Transport programme of the European Union.

The proposal was presented under the 2020 CEF Transport - Reflow Call 2 by the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority to co-finance the planning of a series of infrastructure works for the improvement of the last-mile rail connection to the Genoa-Sampierdarena basin as well as the "New Port Control Tower". These works are necessary because of the tragic collapse of the former control tower on 7 May 2013 and are set to improve the maritime accessibility of the Port of Genoa. The timeline for the studies, initially scheduled between 22 March 2021 and 31 December 2022, has been extended to 31 December 2023.

In terms of rail accessibility, the main objective of the project is to overcome the major bottlenecks in the Sampierdarena basin, such as the non-electrified line and the limited length of the railway yards. The project forms part of a broader strategic framework of national and European importance including fundamental infrastructure interventions which are in progress (Terzo Valico/Third Railway Link across the Apennines, Genoa railway junction and restructuring of the Campasso railway yard) in order to complete the southern end of the European Rhine-Alps corridor on the Ligurian side.

In terms of maritime accessibility, the project responds to the need for increased safety in access manoeuvres to the Port. This requirement is an increasingly pressing concern due to the continuous upsizing of ships. The new infrastructure will also be equipped with technological and IT systems and equipment, including VTMIS systems. In the same perspective, the Port Authority envisages major upgrades to the port entrance and navigation channel and to the breakwater to protect the Sampierdarena basin.

Financial details 

ACTIONS

Project Management and Dissemination
PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The proposal of the RENEW4GE project was submitted by the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority under the 2020 CEF Transport - Reflow Call 2 and approved by the European Commission on 4 August 2021.

The project was launched on 22 March 2021, according to the program attached to the proposal and as agreed in the Grant Agreement signed by the beneficiary and the CINEA Agency on 18 November 2021. In agreement with all parties, an Amendment was undersigned on 24/03/2023 to extend the project implementation timeframe by a further 12 months.

DISSEMINATION

According to the approved Communication Plan, this webpage has been published to provide widespread coverage of activities, project progress, objectives and results, together with the European funding.

On 27 November 2023, a dedicated workshop was held to present the project to port stakeholders and local urban communities and to highlight the EU fund in support of the project. 

Action #1

Redevolpment of rail connection to the "Campasso" yard, costruction of electric traction in the "Molo Nuovo/Rugna yard" / "Submarine Line" tunnel sections  

Start: MAY 2021

End: NOVEMBER 2023

The objective of this action is to complete the planning process for the rail connection between Bettolo/Rugna and Campasso yards, across the Molo Nuovo tunnel.

The action is co-financed under the RENEW4GE project and refers to the executive design of infrastructure works that involve the construction of a double railway line connecting the San Benigno/Bettolo terminal facility and the former St. Limbania junction across the Molo Nuovo tunnel with a PC45/PMO2 track gauge, and subsequent activation of a new signalling system ("ACC Port") according to ANSFISA standards (National Agency for the Safety of Railways and Road and Motorway Infrastructures) as well as railway electric traction systems.

All the works will comply with the RFI/ANSFISA standards which are applicable to the port connection sections (according to the Framework Agreement between MIT-ANSF-ASSOPORTI-RFI and ASSTRA "Development and Safety of the railway infrastructures connecting with the ports" of 2017) and will guarantee the same level of safety as the national railway network.

Before the start of the construction site, the initial urgent demolition works commenced in July 2021 at the same time as the co-financed activities relating to the project:

• verification and validation of the FINAL design ✓
• EXECUTIVE design ✓
• ANTE-OPERAM environmental monitoring

Action #2

Rugna yard Upgrade and Extension

Start: APRIL 2021

End: JANUARY 2022

Action 2 aims to finalize the planning process for the construction of the new railway yard equipped with nine 500-metre tracks at the service of the Bettolo/Sanità terminals, with adjoining plant engineering works which are preparatory to the necessary equipment for the complete functionality of the work.

The railway yard will be connected to the "ACC Port" signalling and control system, and directly connected across the Molo Nuovo tunnel to the new railway infrastructure of the Campasso yard managed by RFI; this new configuration will allow direct routing to/from the national railway network as well as the storage of electric locomotives in the port area in order to facilitate port manoeuvres.

The following activities were completed in January 2022, while infrastructure works are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023.

• verification and validation of the FINAL Design ✓
• EXECUTIVE Design ✓

Action #3  

Adaptation interventions to the Fuorimuro Yard

Start: MARCH 2021

End: OCTOBER 2023

The completion of the executive design for the redevelopment and upgrade of the "Fuorimuro" railway yard in the Sampierdarena basin is expected to be completed and includes the construction of 7 tracks up to 900 meters with adjustment of the distances between the tracks for the handling of European standard trains; the intervention also includes the activation of a new signalling system according to ANSFISA standards (National Agency for the Safety of Railways and Road and Motorway Infrastructures), in addition to  railway electric traction systems.

In practice, the new modernized yard is a marshalling yard that serves all the terminals on the west side of the Sampierdarena basin towards the connection with the Sampierdarena station and provides rail links to the Calata Bettolo area and the Molo Nuovo tunnel connecting with the Campasso yard. This infrastructure plays a key role within the port overall and, specifically, for the 5 terminals to optimise train flows in/out terminal gates.

The following 4 activities are co-financed by the EU:

• technical-economic feasibility project (PFTE) ✓
• FINAL design ✓
• verification and validation of the FINAL design

Action #4

 Start: MAY 2021

End: JULY 2023

New PORT CONTROL TOWER

The objective of this activity is the completion of the planning and procedural process for the new port control tower and the pilots' work area, including the sizing of the offshore facilities with the function of protecting the new facility and all the related preparatory works.

The concept project of the new port control tower was donated to the Port by the famous architect Renzo Piano.

The Port Authority, Coast Guards and Port Pilot Authority have identified the best location for the new tower in relation to safety, open view and immediate availability which was considered admissible by a study on naval accidents drafted by CETENA and delivered in May 2020.

The new tower will be organized in two blocks and will be protected by the construction of a new pier:

• the first block will be installed on quay E, south of the basin in front of Jean Nouvel's pavilion, and will be divided into two blocks by stairways and a lift, both raised from the ground on slender windward steel columns;
• the second block consists of the tower with the control room at the base of which there is a single floor containing all the equipment. This is located on a newly built island near the west dock.

The following activities co-financed under the RENEW4GE European project were completed in July 2023:

• FINAL design ✓
• verification and validation of the FINAL design ✓
• EXECUTIVE design ✓

TIMELINE