The experimental phase of the new operation of the San Benigno and Etiopia port gates begins.
06/09/2018
After a lengthy investigation conducted by the Genoa-Savona Port System Authorities and the Harbourmaster’s Office, which also involved shippers, terminal operators and haulage contractors, the ordinance that updates the operation of the San Benigno and Etiopia commercial gates in the port of Genoa has finally been published.
In addition to interpreting emergency needs related to the collapse of the Morandi Bridge and the modification to both urban and commercial traffic, the provision of the Harbourmaster’s Office, which is the administrative body with jurisdiction in this matter, fulfils specific security requirements of the port gates and optimisation requirements of the operational coordination between the port gates and the terminals.
With reference to this last point, it was the requirements of greater operational efficiency in particular, manifested by road haulage over the last few months, and of the consequent optimisation of the accreditation process at the terminals that recommended intervening on the issue with a specific provision.
Starting from the coming 1 November (so far, the provision has been implemented experimentally), it will become mandatory for all goods traffic - apart from exceptional load transport - to use the San Benigno gate as their entrance and exit points. It will hence be prohibited, with the sole exclusion of exceptional load traffic, to use the Etiopia gate, which opens directly onto the Lungomare Canepa.
It should be noted that the closure of the gate at Etiopia Pier will of necessity follow the completion of the new Ponente Gate, thus guaranteeing continuity to the necessary connections with the western terminals/depots especially those external to or facing the port boundaries (Messina, Erzelli2, Derrick) as well as to the Aeroporto Motorway toll booth for west-bound transport.
The operational commitment necessary for the port gates - in particular to shippers - will not be insignificant, considering that a series of inspections and document checks will be concentrated in the entry phase, aimed at ensuring shorter waiting times for hauliers going to load and/or unload at the terminals of the historic port of Genoa.
The new port gate management system will be based on strengthening the technology in the field through E-Port. The IT system of the Port of Genoa will be further developed in order to activate numerous operational functions, with the goal of improving the drivers’ working and waiting times.
Once completed, the same technology will also be applied at the western Ponente gate, in this case, too, aimed at guaranteeing the greatest possible assistance to the drivers who decide to use the new Ilva Road to access the Port.