Genoa, Italy

Port Overview

Genoa is located in northwestern Italy on the Ligurian coast and is the country’s largest seaport. As the sixth-largest city in Italy, Genoa covers about 240 square kilometers and stretches along 30 kilometers of coastline. Its port is strategically vital, serving as the main maritime gateway for northern Italy and much of central Europe. Genoa consistently ranks among the top Mediterranean ports, handling over 2.5 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually, making it a key hub for international trade and logistics.

Facilities & Infrastructure

The Port of Genoa features major terminals for containers, general cargo, bulk, and passengers, including the Genoa Shipping Terminal and PSA Genova Pra’. Its cargo facilities handle containers, dry and liquid bulk, steel, and perishables. The port is equipped with modern ship-to-shore cranes, mobile cranes, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for efficient container handling. Ongoing infrastructure upgrades, such as a new breakwater and expanded navigation channels, support ultra-large vessels and boost operational capacity.

Container Terminals

Genoa, Italy’s main container port, features several terminals including PSA Genova Pra’, SECH, Calata Bettolo, and Spinelli GPT, with a combined capacity exceeding 2.6 million TEU annually. The port has over 20 container berths, with PSA Genova Pra’ alone handling about 1.5 million TEU. Automation is partial, with ongoing digitalization and some automated equipment. Major operators are PSA International, APM Terminals, and Spinelli Group.

Port Services

• Container handling: Modern terminals equipped for high-volume container operations, including loading, unloading, and transshipment.
• Cargo operations: Facilities for general cargo, breakbulk, dry and liquid bulk, perishables, steel, forest products, and project cargo.
• Ship services: Ship maintenance, refitting, bunkering, shipbuilding, and a full range of maritime support services.
• Warehousing: Extensive warehousing and logistics platforms for storage, consolidation, and distribution.
• Customs: On-site customs clearance and regulatory services, integrated with advanced IT systems for efficient processing.

Global Connectivity

Genoa is Italy’s premier maritime gateway, with its port complex—including the modern Prà and Sampierdarena terminals—handling over 1.6 million containers annually. It serves as a vital link between Southern Europe and major manufacturing and consumer markets in Northern Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and beyond. High-capacity rail connections, including the upcoming Terzo Valico line to Milan, and direct motorway access ensure efficient distribution across Europe. Shipping routes from Genoa reach global markets in the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, underpinning its role as a key logistics hub.

Port Statistics

Port of Genoa, Italy – Key Statistics (2025):

• TEU Throughput: 2.8 million TEU (2025)
• World Ranking: Outside global top 50; among top 10 in Europe
• Number of Berths: 22 container berths
• Port Area: Approximately 700 hectares
• Major Shipping Lines: MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, COSCO, Evergreen

Genoa is Italy’s largest container port and a major Mediterranean gateway, serving a wide range of global shipping lines.