Rail Transport

Rail Transport

I Ports of Genoa
Rail Transport

Efficient railway services are a key driver in sustainable port development. The railway lines which today connect Genoa and Savona-Vado to the European network are currently being upgraded and retrofitted with new technology to comply with recent infrastructure developments to the network.

Works are in progress to equip the Ports of Genoa cargo facilities with the capability to handle in full safety EU standardised freight trains (750 metres in length, P/C 80 gauge, 12.5% max. gradient), and by 2024 the ports are on track to be completely integrated in the TEN-T Rhine Alpine rail corridor.

The planned New Third Railway Line across the Apennines and the Genoa last mile rail connections are central to the range of major infrastructure works underway.


Rhine-Alpine Trans-European logistics corridor

The completion of the New Hi-speed/Hi-capacity Rail Line and of the upgrade of the Genoa Rail Junction infrastructure works underway is instrumental to facilitating a modal shift of 30% by 2030.

Terzo Valico Line under construction and interconnections with the Genoa Rail Junction and logistic hubs

Rail TransportRail Services

Today the Ports of Genoa and Savona-Vado offer approximately 100 weekly direct rail services (on average by 500 m/1000 t. trains) to the Northern Italian industrial and consumer heartland across a network of inland terminals.


Rail-road modal shift trend


Volume of rail freight transport share by origin/destination in 2023

Rail TransportLast Mile

Last mile operations are instrumental in achieving efficiency and boosting the competitive edge of rail services. The Port Authority, in collaboration with RFI, is implementing a sizable investment programme to upgrade the on-terminal rail connections and the national rail network.

Fuorimuro Servizi di Manovra S.R.L.

Mercitalia Shunting & Terminal S.R.L.

Rail Transport
Genoa and Pra' railway area


Rail infrastructure across the Port of Genoa Pra'.

The last mile infrastructure of the Port of Genoa is the focus of a far-reaching investment programme which ranges from the completion of the New Third Railway Line across the Apennines and the upgrade of the Genoa Railway Junction to the planned developments in shoreside port infrastructure, as prescribed by the MoU undersigned by RFI and the Port Authority in August 2018.

The strategic role played by rail in ensuring a seamless integrated and sustainable supply chain across Europe is highlighted by the fact that the design project of the planned works for the last mile rail infrastructure upgrade in the Sampierdarena basin is co-funded by the EU, across the RENEW4GE project.
Go to the project page

The range of major infrastructure works underway are instrumental in catering for the expected increase in volumes to be handled by the Port of Genoa, the overland transport across Southern Europe and an improvement in the intermodal split from road to rail.

Railway district
Genoa-Pra' Port Basin

Rail infrastructure across the Port of Genoa can be broadly divided into four sectors:


Rail infrastructure across the Port of Genoa Sampierdarena.

A) Eastern Sector of the Old Port, which covers the San Benigno area (Bettolo-Rugna Rail Yard), is the focus of an upgrade and expansion programme that kicked off in December 2021 (P.2460 Lot A2). The project foresees the installation of nine tracks to ensure the operation of freight trains in full safety to/from the container and liquid bulk terminals. The yard will be connected to the national rail network across the Molo Nuovo Tunnel, undergoing a retrofit (P.2930), and to the subsequent rail link with the Campasso Rail Yard and onward to the railway lines across the Apennines.

B) Central Sector of the Old Port, which covers the Sampierdarena rail freight terminal area (Fuorimuro), to date featuring nine tracks, including eight equipped with an electric rail traction system. The Fuorimuro Rail Yard forms part of a range of planned port infrastructure works, in cooperation with RFI, as prescribed by the MoU of 2018. The upgrade programme of the yard (P.3107) foresees the installation of seven 750-metre EU-standardised electrified rail tracks.

C) Western Sector of the Old Port includes the 5-track railway park on the Nino Ronco bridge, which is connected to the "Fuori Muro" park via the Ronco junction and directly to the national railway network (Genoa Sampierdarena Smistamento) via the Bretella Nino Ronco link road, which is currently temporarily closed due to road works.

Railway district
Genoa-Pra' Port Basin



Rail infrastructure across the Port of Genoa Pra'.

The rail facilities of the Pra’ port basin, located on-site in the PSA Genova Pra’ terminal, feature eight tracks ranging from 1200 to 1320 metres in length and an additional track 660 metres in length.

The terminal is connected to the Genoa Voltri (RFI) interchange freight station along the Genoa-Savona railway line, across a double-track link.

PSA Genova Pra’

Rail Transport
Savona and Vado Ligure railway district


Rail infrastructure in the Port of Savona-Vado-Ligure

The rail facilities on-site in the Ports of Savona and Vado Ligure provide a direct link to the national railway network across a single-track line which connects to the Doria Rail Yard freight station where the trains depart to the final inland destination.

Railway district
The port basin of Savona

The port basin of Savona is linked to the national railway network across the Savona Doria Rail Yard-Maritime Savona single-track non-electrified line 2 km in length.

The rail infrastructure of the link, owned by RFI, is governed by the Port Authority, in compliance with the terms and conditions of an ad-hoc Convention dated 4 April 2010.

Rail infrastructure in the Port of Savona.

The port rail facilities, owned by the Port Authority, feature 12 inbound and outbound tracks up to 400 metres in length and on-site direct links to the following cargo terminals

A new rail link has been completed, 567 linear metres, which connects with the Southern Terrapiena cargo handling area.

The railway system serving the port basin of Savona.

Railway district
Port basin of Vado Ligure

The port basin of Vado Ligure is linked to the national railway network across the Savona Doria Rail Yard- Vado Industrial Zone Station-Port of Vado Ligure line.

The stretch of the railway line between Doria Rail Yard and Vado Industrial Zone Station reports to RFI and features a single electrified 2 km track.

The Vado Industrial Zone rail yard covers an area of approximately 50,000 sqm along 800 m and is equipped to offer six tracks (including three electrified) ranging from 300 to 460 metres in length and a direct link to the Port of Vado. RFI is implementing an upgrade programme to expand the rail facilities, including the extension of the tracks to 750 m.

The stretch of the railway line between Vado Industrial Zone Station and the Port of Vado Ligure, featuring a single non-electrified 1-km track, was installed by the Port Authority of Savona in two stages completed in 1998 and 2007.

In 2021 the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority carried out an upgrade programme designed to retrofit the facilities with new technology and revamp the two-level crossings, thereby improving safety and reducing the risk of interference between port rail freight and urban traffic.


 

 The railway infrastructures serving the port basin of Vado Ligure.

Vado Gateway - APM Terminals Vado Ligure S.P.A.

Reefer Terminal - APM Terminals Vado Ligure S.P.A.

The railway system serving the port basin of Vado Ligure.

Explore more:

Learn more

Read the Ports of Genoa Post Magazine