Simplified Logistics Zone

Simplified Logistics Zone

ZLS
Simplified Logistics Zone – Port and Dryport of Genoa

Art. 7 of Law n.130/2018 provides for the establishment, pursuant to art.1, comma 62 of Law n.205/2017, of the “Simplified Logistics Zone – Port and Dryport of Genoa” (SLZ), with the objective of attracting new investments in the designated SLZ port area, by offering incentives and easing administrative procedures for businesses which set up operations in the zone.
Without precedence in Italy, the Port of Genoa’s SLZ embraces an area which stretches beyond the confines of its regional borders, and, in addition to Liguria, includes Piemonte, Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna. In fact, the SLZ Port and Dryport of Genoa groups together the City of Genoa with the dryports sites in Rivalta Scrivia, Arquata Scrivia, Novi San Bovo, Alessandria, Piacenza, Castellazzo Bormida, Ovada Belforte, Dinazzano, Milano Smistamento, Melzo and Vado Ligure. Legislation in force also foresees the expansion of designated sites and is set to be extended to the port areas of Savona.

ZLSAn opportunity for businesses and the local economy to grow

SLZ is a vital tool aimed at stimulating the economic growth of the Liguria Region, with a far-reaching impact also upon the Ports of Genoa’s catchment area. The prime objective of the Simplified Logistics Zone is to attract investments and businesses working with the Ports of Genoa to establish or expand operations in them. Within these zones, businesses can benefit from incentives such as:

    • Simplified administrative procedures, making processes easier for certain types of businesses, specifically, port-centric companies;
    • Tax incentives – tax investments carried out in accordance with State Aid legislation in force;
    • Customs benefits - The opportunity to establish an enclosed Customs Free Zone - simplified customs and logistics procedures (provision of duty and import tax advantages, temporary import regimes etc).

The benefits and the timeline (7 years + 7), which characterise the SLZ, offer an exceptional opportunity for the economic development of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority and for the supply chain industry operating across the ports’ catchment area. In fact, the SLZ plays a pivotal role serving the port for at least three main reasons.

Firstly, the SLZ represents a driving force behind the optimal planning of the rearport, encouraging the establishment of logistic hubs within the perimeter of the ZLS which also generate an increase in port volumes. The opportunity to concentrate cargo flows across intermodal hubs is an incentive to shift from road to rail transport, vital to the planned expansion of the port catchment area beyond the Alps and to propel the Ports of Genoa into the league of top sustainable ports.

Secondly, the SLZ is a vital instrument in attracting value-added activities in the designated sites, not only restricted to dedicated logistic operations, but namely manufacturing activities which can also generate additional port traffic in import and export. It is important to highlight that by grouping together the four regions within a single perimeter paves the way towards the establishment of an integrated supply chain system, whereby certain logistic and manufacturing activities are empowered to set up or relocate to the rearport area of Genoa. In addition, boosting further digitalisation is the key to the development of new value-added activities across the port and the rearport areas of the SLZ.

Within this framework, the incentives offered by the SLZ, such as tax credits and a simplification of administrative and customs procedures, can be bolstered by further measures of support offered by the Regional Councils forming part of the SLZ. Consequently, thirdly, the SLZ also represents a governance tool to address macro-regional transport policies and issues.

ZLSGovernance

The Steering Committee is the governing body of the SLZ which is responsible for coordination, planning, institutional relations and monitoring of activities outlined in the Development Plan. The DPCM of 12 November 2024 provides for the establishment of the Steering Committee of the Simplified Logistics Zone "Port and Dryport of Genoa".

The Strategic Development Plan of the SLZ was elaborated under the aegis of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority and the Region of Liguria, with the support of public and private stakeholders.

For further information, please refer to the following website: sito del Dipartimento per le politiche di coesione e per il sud.

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