Genoa, 9 June 2026 – The construction of the New Genoa Breakwater took another major step forward today. The successful installation of the twenty-third reinforced-concrete cellular caisson marks a new milestone in Italy’s largest planned maritime infrastructure project, extending the facility beyond its first kilometre in length.
Alongside the placement of the caissons, work continues on the consolidation of the seabed, a critical phase in the construction phase. Installed at depths as low as 50 metres, a stable foundation is necessary to ensure the long-term resilience and durability of the infrastructure. The construction site runs seven days a week, requiring highly specialised operations, combining technical expertise with extensive logistical coordination across the execution of the multiple phases.
“Reaching the first kilometre of the New Open-Sea Breakwater represents a milestone in the development of a project strategic to the future of the Port of Genoa and to the entire Italian supply chain. It is not only a technical achievement: it is tangible proof of how a long-term vision can be transformed into concrete results through the daily commitment of a large team of people,” commented Matteo Paroli, President of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority. “The New Breakwater is the centrepiece of the Ports of Genoa and Savona-Vado’s 3.6 billion euro infrastructure investment programme. The delivery of large-scale projects require high-level planning ability, administrative expertise, continuity in decision-making and close collaboration between stakeholders. These are the elements that consent the release of financial resources to be transformed into vital infrastructure, capable of generating competitiveness, economic growth, and new investment opportunities. I would like to pay tribute to the many public institutions and private-sector companies involved in the initiative. Special thanks to the Port Authority’s engineering and administrative team and, in particular, to Chief Engineer Marco Vaccari, whose long-standing contribution has been instrumental to the project’s progress. The New Breakwater not only represents a sophisticated feat of engineering, it is also the result of the daily efforts of many people working behind the scenes under demanding deadlines, to ensure the smooth coordination of activities and procedures. Thanks to this shared commitment, a strategic piece of infrastructure for the port, the local community and the country is steadily becoming a reality.”
The New Genoa Breakwater project brings together a wide range of specialist expertise, including engineers, technicians, maritime operators, undersea divers, and personnel dedicated to offshore operations and port logistics. This initiative is also helping to showcase maritime professions that have been central to Genoa’s identity, whilst promoting innovation, safety and continuous professional training.
Once completed, the new breakwater is expected to usher in a new era for the Port of Genoa. Positioned 400 metres offshore from the existing structure, the facility has been designed to accommodate the next-generation of container and cruise vessels, improving maritime access and enhancing navigational safety. The new infrastructure will boost activities at the Port of Genoa, delivering benefits to both the local and Italian economy overall, as a result of the port’s expanded capacity and the creation of new employment opportunities across the entire supply chain which will see an overall increase in the demand for services.
