Expansion of the Ports of Rome and Lazio About to Begin

The Ports of Civitavecchia and Fiumicino are about to receive the first trench of the €195 million European Investment Bank (EIB) loan for the development of its facilities near Rome, reports the EIB.

The agreement for the first tranche of EUR 50 million financing was signed today by EIB Vice-president Dario Scannapieco and the President of the Port Authority Francesco Maria di Majo.

As we previously reported, the EIB loan will cover the financing for the extension of the Port of Civitavecchia, about 60km North-West from Rome, and the construction of a new seaport for freights and passengers in Fiumicino, 20km West from the capital.

Dario Scannapieco, EIB Vice-President, said: “Ports are key for the economy of a country like Italy, which is significantly export and tourism driven. Seaport shipping of goods and passengers is also crucial in order to transfer traffic from land based, congested and more carbon intensive modes of transport, such as road and rail transport.”

Francesco Maria di Majo, President of the “Sistema Portuale del Mar Tirreno Centro-Settentrionale” Port Authority (ADSP), said: “The EIB support is of paramount importance for the ports of Rome and Lazio and will allow the ADSP to complete most of the works envisaged in the port regulatory plan of Civitavecchia and Fiumicino.”

Overall, the investment will include, in Civitavecchia, the extension of the outer breakwater, dredging works, development of a new basin for short-sea shipping, nautical port services and construction of a new road access to the port (Access North).

In Fiumicino, the project will involve the construction of two new breakwaters, dredging works for the new basin, construction of a multi-purpose berth for both Ro-Ro (roll-on roll-off, passengers and freight wheeled vehicles) and fishing vessels’ activities.