The trade mission to Georgia, led by the Liguria Region, kicked off at the Port of Savannah, with a focus on port governance, intermodalism and fostering transatlantic trade between the Ports of Genoa and the US East Coast.
At the meeting, the Italian delegation was fronted by Massimiliano Nannini, Chief of Staff to the President of the Liguria Region, Davide Falteri, President of Federlogistica, and Alberto Pozzobon of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority, who presented the strategic role of the Ports of Genoa, Savona and Vado situated at the crossroads of global maritime trade routes and European logistics networks. Discussions with the Georgia Ports Authority, represented by Flavio Batista, Chief Commercial Officer, and Stacy Watson, Director of Economic & Industrial Development, focused on opportunities to boost trade between both sides of the Atlantic. Mario Tenebruso, Vice President of JAS Worldwide, also provided invaluable insight from the perspective of an international freight forwarder operating against an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving geopolitical backdrop.
With almost 5.7 million TEUs handled in 2025, Savannah is one of the leading container ports in the United States and an established trade partner of the Ports of Genoa, which offer five regular liner services. Genoa and Vado Ligure together account for approximately 38% of container traffic between Italy and the United States, with Savannah ranking second by volume amongst US ports, behind New York & New Jersey.
Rail freight connections and the expansion of port catchment areas were central to the discussions. The Georgia Ports Authority is investing heavily in rail infrastructure and inland intermodal facilities to extend Savannah’s outreach into the US domestic market. A key project is the Mason Mega Rail Terminal, designed to handle double-stack trains and trains up to approximately three kilometres in length. A similar strategic approach is being pursued by the Ports of Genoa, where investment in rail and intermodal connections is aimed at strengthening the ports’ role as a Mediterranean gateway to the European leading manufacturing and consumer areas. By providing efficient access from the Mediterranean, the Ports of Genoa can offer an alternative to the traditional Northern Range maritime gateways, contributing to greater diversification and resilience across European supply chains.
The programme continued with a visit to the Garden City Terminal, Savannah’s flagship container terminal, which features a three-kilometre long quay and 34 ship-to-shore cranes.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to strengthen relations between the two port communities and explore new opportunities for cooperation amongst logistics operators and shippers. Potential areas of collaboration include digital solutions to optimise trade flows and joint initiatives dedicated to the development of green corridors.
