About Us

About Us

Port Authority
Port Authority Functions

The Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority, the governing body of the local port territory, is a formally established public organisation with administrative autonomy. In compliance with the Italian Legislative Decree No. 169 - Reorganisation, rationalisation and simplification of the regulations concerning Port Authorities under Italian Law No. 84 of 28 January 1994, in implementation of Article 8, paragraph 1, letter f), of Italian Law No. 124 of 7 August 2015 - the Ports of Genoa, Savona and Vado-Ligure have been henceforth grouped together under the territorial jurisdiction of the Port Authority of the Western Ligurian Sea.

The non-economic public body of national strategic significance with special governance is endowed with administrative, organisational, regulatory, budgetary, and financial autonomy. It is subject to the direction and supervision of the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

To safeguard the principle of third-party status concerning private companies holding concessions or authorised to operate in state-owned port areas, the Port Authority does not directly carry out port operations nor directly related activities. However, it may acquire shares in general common user service companies which support the overall development of the port cluster.

Transparency

The key functions of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority include the following core activities:

  • The implementation of strategic planning policies to oversee the development of port activities, whilst simultaneously reconciling the competitiveness of the port with the requirements of local urban redevelopment and socio-economic sustainability. The guidelines are transcribed into infrastructure investments across the port basins, the state-owned land under Port Authority jurisdiction, and the overland connections with the national transport network., in compliance with legislation in force and in full agreement with the other local authorities.
  • Port planning policies, incorporated within the Masterplan, phase in the elaboration of new infrastructure and maintenance projects across the port common user areas (breakwaters, quays, etc.), maritime infrastructure for safe navigation (seabeds, buoys, beacons, etc.), public facilities (lighting, utility services), and road and rail links (gates, roads, railway tracks).
  • The scope and the size of the wide-ranging investment programme implemented position the Port Authority as a major contracting authority. To function, it requires highly qualified human resources assigned to internal departments to manage the complex administrative, financial and legal procedures, ensuring ultimately efficiency and transparency in the tender awarding procedures.
  • The administration of the areas and assets of the maritime state property within its jurisdiction. The Port Authority grants, across state concessions and licences, part of the infrastructure and land to private companies to operate maritime cargo and passenger traffic, and shipyards equipped for both newbuilds and refitting services. This is performed in line with technically and economically transparent best practices, ensuring optimal use of public domain land.
  • Co-ordinated action between public administrations to optimise port operations and simplify bureaucracy requires an intensive use and expansion of port community data exchange amongst all port stakeholders, with the objective of a moving towards a complete system of smart and paperless working solutions. The Port Authority also oversees IT integration between the port and the hinterland logistic facilities.
  • The control and inspection of port operations and other commercial and industrial activities conducted in the port area, with regulatory and enforcement powers, including those related to personal safety and security.

Port Authority Companies Partnership Companies

The Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority has shareholdings in a range of dedicated companies specifically linked to its institutional role and to the maritime or logistic sector.


Aeroporto di Genova
Shareholder Percentage: 60%
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Ente Bacini S.R.L.
Shareholder Percentage: 96,74%
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FI.L.S.E. S.P.A.
Shareholder Percentage: 3,9%
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GE.AM. Gestioni Ambientali S.P.A.
Shareholder Percentage: 49%
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Porto Antico S.P.A.
Shareholder Percentage: 4,80%
Per approfondire

Servizi Ecologici del Porto di Genova
Shareholder Percentage: 23,59%
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Stazioni Marittime S.P.A.
Shareholder Percentage: 21,8%
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S.V. Port Service S.R.L.
Shareholder Percentage: 22%
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VIO – Vado Intermodal Operator S.P.A.
Shareholder Percentage: 72%
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Port AuthorityRelations with Associations

The Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority is a member of 9 national and international associations.

Assoporti
The association, representing all the Italian Ports, groups together the sixteen Port Authorities.

Associazione Genova Smart City
Association promoted by the Municipality of Genoa with the aim of promoting the transformation of the city of Genoa into a Smart City.

Associazione Villes & Ports – AIVP
International association working to improve integration between port-cities.

Centro Internazionale Studi Emigrazione Italiana – CISEI
The International Centre for Italian Emigration Studies, of which the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority is a founding member. The establishment studies and traces emigration flows from the port of Genoa between the 19th and 20th centuries, and was founded as a result of the numerous searches conducted by the descendants of migrants who embarked on their long voyage from the Port of Genoa.

C.I.S.Co Container – Centro Internazionale Studi Container i.s.
Founded in 1967 by the Chamber of Commerce and the Genoa Port Authority, C.I.S.Co contributes to the development of multimodal transport sector.

CLIA Cruise Association
International association representing cruise lines and cruise industry stakeholders.

Comitato Welfare e Gente di Mare
The Committee is chaired by the Admiral Commander-in-Chief of the Harbour Masters, and in cooperation with the port community carries out support schemes for seafarers and ship crews.

Escola Europea de Short Sea Shipping – AEIE
European training centre for intermodal transport and logistics, promoting intermodal transport as the basis for sustainable logistics in Europe.

International Association of Ports and Harbours – IAPH
An association that unites ports from around the world with the aim of strengthening relations among members and promoting sustainable practices through collaboration and the sharing of information.

Istituto Italiano delle Comunicazioni
Institute participated by Genoese local authorities entities for the promotion of research, knowledge, information and training in the field of transport and telecommunications.

Med Cruise
Association of cruise ports promoting the cruise cluster in the Mediterranean Sea.