January 2024 container throughput data for the Trieste Marine Terminal vividly illustrates the impact of the Red Sea crisis on the port, causing delays (or even cancellations) in the arrival of container ships from Asia to Mediterranean ports. In January, the terminal handled 43,782 TEUs, marking a 26.5% decrease compared to the same month in 2023. February's figures will be noteworthy, as they will reflect the delayed arrival of ships circumnavigating Africa and a reduction in shipments from China due to the Chinese New Year.
Meanwhile, the redevelopment of the former Servola steel mill's industrial area has advanced with the integration into the program agreement, enabling the commencement of works to secure the entire area, which spans 560,000 square meters. This area will host Molo VIII, a container terminal with a capacity of 1.4 million TEUs.
The Eastern Adriatic Sea Port Authority is participating in the Fruit Logistica in Berlin, held from February 7 to 9, 2024, showcasing the new ro-ro line with the Egyptian port of Damietta. The service is set to start in October 2024 and will connect to the port's rail links to various national and international destinations. The cargo will include fresh agri-food products. The expected sea transit time is about seventy hours, and imported goods will be cleared before the ship's arrival in Trieste, thanks to document digitization and blockchain technology.
