{youtue}On the day of the christening of the MSC Seaview, the headquarters of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority provide the backdrop to the signing of two deeds set to change the face of the Port of Genoa.
9 June 2018 marked the final seal of approval to two important deeds of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority: firstly, the port concession awarded to Consorzio Bettolo (a joint venture held 65% by MSC and 35% by GIP recently acquired by Infravia and Infracapital investment funds) for the management of the new container terminal to be built in Calata Bettolo, part of a sizeable public-private investment programme set to boost substantially the box throughput capacity of the Ports of Genoa.
The new terminal has been designed to offer port users a state-of-the-art fully automated facility capable of accommodating the ultra-large container vessels. The concession period is for 33 years.
“After over fifteen years, I can safely say that the official announcement confirming the concession agreement with Consorzio Bettolo has been welcomed as wonderful news across the entire shipping community in Genoa,” declared the President of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority, Paolo Emilio Signorini. “Upon completion, the new facility will offer an annual 800,000 teu container throughput capacity, whilst a 500,000/600,000 teu target has been set for the forthcoming years. The terminal will be equipped to cater for the requirements of the introduction of the ultra-large container ships, in line with the planned relocation of the new breakwater in the Sampierdarena basin.
The direct role assumed by MSC, the world’s no.2 container shipping line, in partnership with US, French and UK investment fund management companies, represent a major asset in the port, poised to strengthen Genoa’s position as centre of cargo handling excellence. In addition, investments have been earmarked in new on-site road and rail links to reduce the impact of the new container terminal on city traffic. Over the next two years we are firmly committed to working hard to commence operations as soon as possible.”
The second deed signed refers to an extension to the duration of the concession period of SECH terminal, which is to implement a sizable investment programme aimed at upgrading handling equipment to serve the latest generation of container vessels.
“I am pleased,” commented President Signorini, “to be able to undersign the extension of the concession period up to 2045, a few days after SECH celebrated 25 successful years in the Port of Genoa. Twenty-five years have passed and we are looking forward to working together for the next twenty-five years. SECH is one of the Ports of Genoa’s leading terminal operators, with over 335,000 teus handled last year and investments for over 120 million euros planned in the forthcoming years, which have already led to the creation of new employment opportunities. That the Ports of Genoa have a reputation for cost-effectiveness and handling efficiency is demonstrated by the fact that new and existing terminal operating companies have shown themselves firmly committed to investing in the port: everything is in place to boost the Ligurian port’s leadership in the future.”
As the MSC Group and the SECH terminal operating company join forces to manage the new box facility, the entire Calata Sanità-Calata Bettolo area will be poised to handle 800/900,000 teus per annum.
The four at the meeting in Palazzo San Giorgio
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