Reflecting the national trend, the Port of Trieste recorded a decrease in container throughput to 852,193 teu, marking a 2.92% drop from the previous year. This was a year-end figure provided by the Eastern Adriatic Sea Port Authority. The Authority highlighted that 54% of all containers handled at the Trieste docks traveled on 8,979 trains, 640 fewer than in 2022. Including the port of Monfalcone and the Trieste-Fernetti and Cervignano interports, the port-interport system operated a record 12,379 trains.
A key strength of the Port of Trieste is its ro-ro traffic, but this sector too faced a slowdown in 2023, decreasing by 6.79% with a throughput of 298,570 units. However, the segment of industrial vehicles on ferries showed positive growth, with an increase of 47.91% totaling 24,551 units. The Port Authority explained, 'The overall decrease in this sector can be attributed to the current international and European stagnation, and especially to reduced interchange with Germany.'
Commenting on the 2023 performance, Zeno D’Agostino, President of the Port Authority, stated, 'Geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflicts have caused additional disruptions, adding to those caused by Covid-19. The data clearly shows that the crisis has reached Trieste and could persist over time. Therefore, we need to diversify to respond to shocks. However, overall, the Eastern Adriatic has demonstrated resilience, limiting losses and investing in the railway sector and new lines in the Inframed area with Egypt and Morocco'.
