Transhipment more attractive in Italy

Italys Infrastructure & Transport Minister has announced that, for 2010 and 2011, port taxes and anchorage charges will be reduced to zero at the ports of Cagliari, Gioia Tauro and Taranto.

The move, introduced on an experimental basis, is designed to boost and retain transhipment traffic.

The government is well aware of the competitiveness crisis being faced by Italian ports in the Mediterranean and is also considering the introduction of a new act of Parliament reforming port organisation to give more autonomy to port authorities.