The new proposal calls for the implementation in parallel of the two executive stages, by merging Phases A and B, which had originally been planned as a continuous process. This will result in a reduction in the overall construction times of the new breakwater by almost two years, at this juncture, scheduled for completion by December 2027.
In addition, the new layout offers a range of competitive advantages, including:
- An upgrade in the competitive edge of the Port of Genoa and an increase in trade volumes, with an improvement in the social and economic impact on the local community, 24 months in advance with respect to the construction of the breakwater in two distinct phases. The new outlook is predicated on the following elements:
- The simultaneous implementation of the two phases of the construction works (Phase A and Phase B), in compliance with the completion date timeline;
- An expansion of the navigation channel and turning basin by the western harbour entrance to cater for the ultra-large vessels;
- An optimisation of the layout shoreside, with the option to construct a single seamless quayline to accommodate the next generation container ships and to expand the storage yards to cater for increasing trade volumes.
- The construction at the western harbour entrance of an additional wide navigation channel, from 138 m to 235 m, and a wider turning basin, from 450 m to 550 m, is set to contribute to an upgrade in safety conditions for incoming and outgoing ships in the Sampierdarena basin of the Port of Genoa
The variation to the project plan was proposed with the scope to maximise in full the deployment of the port seawater surface area within the new breakwater and consists in the following modifications:
- Reduction in the length of section T1 in line with the main entrance eastwards, in compliance with the recommendations advanced by the Upper Council of Public Works during the approval phase of the Technical Economic Feasibility Study;
- Optimisation of the T5 breakwater to align the function of the facility with planning requirements to move the turning basin eastwards and expand the seawater surface area to improve safety conditions for ship manoeuvres;
- Elimination of section T4, transitional between Phase A and Phase B;
- Relocation of section T7 towards the open-sea;
- Extension of the outer breakwater by the western harbour entrance across the extension of section T9.
“We are delighted with the result achieved”, - declared the President of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority, Matteo Paroli, - “and it represents a milestone which stems from the close cooperation forged between the Commissioner’s Office for the Reconstruction of Genoa and the Port Authority. This major accomplishment will provide us with the opportunity to accelerate the construction of the breakwater, which is set to play a strategic role in the future development of the Port of Genoa and the Italian supply chain. The new open-sea breakwater will offer a range of competitive advantages which will strengthen the position of the Ports of the Western Ligurian Sea as a modern logistics platform serving both Italy and Europe, whilst simultaneously ensuring a sustainable growth in trade volumes and generating major economic and social benefits for the local community.”
