by InTrieste
In a significant move for the development of Italy’s maritime infrastructure, the Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning and Sustainable Development (CIPESS) has approved a €206.9 million allocation for the first phase of the construction of Pier VIII at the Port of Trieste. This funding is part of a broader plan to bolster Trieste’s role as a critical hub in European port logistics, with a special focus on containerized goods.
Vittorio Torbianelli, the extraordinary commissioner for the ports of Trieste and Monfalcone, hailed the decision as a pivotal moment for the future of Trieste’s port. “This is a major milestone,” Torbianelli said in a statement. “We are deeply grateful to the government, particularly Minister Salvini and Deputy Minister Rixi, as well as President Fedriga of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and all the local authorities who supported this effort. We also owe thanks to Zeno D’Agostino and those visionaries who, years ago, launched a forward-thinking master plan that made this achievement possible.”
The project, which aligns with Italy’s broader maritime development strategy, aims to create a state-of-the-art terminal dedicated to handling containerized cargo. The terminal is expected to serve as a critical link in Central and Eastern Europe’s supply chains. The first phase of the project, which will be covered by the approved public funds, is a major step in realizing the long-term vision of Pier VIII, a terminal with the capacity to handle 1.6 million TEUs annually.
Torbianelli emphasized that the funding approval was not just a triumph for Trieste but also a testament to Italy’s growing recognition as a strategic player in global port logistics. “This project reinforces the Trieste model, which is based on the synergy between public and private sectors and the sustainable integration of maritime and rail systems,” he explained.
In 2023, a public-private partnership (PPP) proposal was submitted by a consortium of companies — ICOP S.p.A., HHLA PLT Italy s.r.l., and Logistica Giuliana S.r.l. — to the Port System Authority, aiming to build the new terminal. This proposal was accompanied by a request for a public interest declaration for the project. The total investment for the project is estimated at €315 million, with the government covering €206.9 million and private stakeholders providing the rest.
The project’s long-term vision includes not just the construction of the terminal, but also the growth and expansion of the port’s infrastructure to meet the increasing demands of global trade. Once completed, Pier VIII will be an essential gateway to Southern Europe, with the capacity to handle a substantial volume of goods from key European and global markets.
As part of the approval process, CIPESS assessed the feasibility and convenience of the PPP model, which is set to be further formalized with a decree from Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. This marks an important milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to modernize its port infrastructure and enhance its role as a key player in international logistics.
With this funding boost, Trieste is poised to become an even more important maritime gateway, strengthening its strategic position in the Mediterranean and beyond.
