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FORUM of Shipping
and Logistics


Special Interest Group on Maritime Transport and Ports
a member of the WCTR Society

INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP
Genoa - June 8-10, 2000



The Economic Value of the Port of Cork to Ireland in 1999: An Input-Output Study*


Richard Moloney
Department of Economics
National University of Ireland, Cork
Cork, Ireland
+353-21-902659
+353-21-4273920 (fax)
rjpmoloney@eircom.net

William Sjostrom
Department of Economics
National University of Ireland, Cork
Cork, Ireland
+353-21-902091
+353-21-4273920 (fax)
w.sjostrom@ucc.ie



Version: June 2000


* This study is based on a report carried out by the authors for the Port of Cork Company (Moloney and Sjostrom 2000). The views expressed in this paper do not necessarily represent the views of the Port of Cork Company, its directors, or its staff. We would like to thank Raymond Burke, KPMG, and Sean Geary, Pat Keenan, and Tony O'Leary of the Port of Cork Company. All tons are metric tons. The calculation of all impacts was done using the software package GRIMP (West, 1993) All values were re-priced to 1993 values in order to use the input-output tables to calculate the required multipliers. Crew on ferries are not included due to lack of data.


Abstract

This paper is developed from a report commissioned by the Port of Cork Company (Moloney and Sjostrom, 2000). The paper provides an assessment of the contributions made by the Port of Cork to the Irish economy in 1999. The study provides an estimate of the total contribution to Ireland of the Port of Cork, both in expenditure and employment, and the directcontribution of the various activities at the Port of Cork.

After giving a background to the Port of Cork's business, we describe the methods used in the study. In particular, we explain the direct contribution, the indirect contribution and the overall contribution of cruise liner traffic. We then give a detailed breakdown of the estimated amount of expenditure generated by various activities at the Port of Cork.

Nearly 100% of Irish trade by volume and 90% by value is transported through the country's ports. Because Ireland has no direct land links, these figures are significantly higher than other European Union countries. The study quantifies the direct as well as indirect and induced economic contributions of this traffic.

The findings are based on the input-output Table of Ireland, as well as interviews and data supplied by the Port of Cork Company and other companies using the port.

We show that the total contributions of all activities at the Port of Cork for 1999 are expenditures of €334.61 million and 4225 full-time equivalent jobs. This is broken down as €24.61 million in current expenditure by the Port of Cork and 330 full-time equivalent jobs, €21.98 million in capital expenditure and 293 full-time equivalent jobs, €117.77 million by other companies operating through the Port of Cork and 1436 full-time equivalent jobs, and €170.22 million in expenditure by tourists arriving on ferries and cruise liners and crew of the ships visiting Cork and 2166 full-time equivalent jobs.

The direct contributions of all activities at the Port of Cork for 1999 are expenditure on locally produced goods and services totaled €176.01 million and 886 full-time equivalent jobs. This is broken down as €13.28 million in current expenditure and 124 full-time equivalent jobs, €13.46 million in capital expenditure, €56.96 million by other companies operating through the Port of Cork and 762 full-time equivalent jobs, and €92.31 million by tourists arriving on ferries and cruise liners and crew of the ships visiting Cork.


1. INTRODUCTION

This paper examines the contribution of activities at the Port of Cork to Ireland. It is based on a survey of expenditure and employment by the various providers of services in the Port of Cork area during the year 1999. This spending is analyzed in an input-output framework, using the input-output tables for Ireland in 1993 (CSO, 1999a). The input-output model enabled the authors to measure the direct, indirect and induced effects of this spending on the Irish economy.

This paper is related to Donnellan and Moloney (2000), which established the economic value of the Port of Cork's cruise liner traffic. More generally, Garhart and Moloney (1994) survey the use of input-output techniques in Ireland, and Miller and Blair (1985) review the use of input-output techniques more generally.

Because Ireland is an island, ports play an important role in its economy. Nearly 100% of trade by volume and 90% by value is transported through Irish ports. Because Ireland has no direct land links, these figures are significantly higher than other European Union countries. Ports provide the interface between two modes of transport - waterborne and land-carried freight and passengers.

The Port of Cork is Ireland's second largest port. Its trade comes from a wide area of the country, as far north as County Mayo, from the East Coast and from Northern Ireland. Internal Port estimates indicate that port traffic grew by 8.9% in 1998 and decreased by 3.8% in 1999. In 1998 the Port handled 8,895,000 tons of cargo, consisting of 5,431,000 tons of imports, 2,611,000 tons of exports, and 853,000 tons of coastal trade (CSO, 1999b). In 1999, the port handled 5,496,000 tons of imports, 2,313, tons of exports and 781,000 tons of coastal trade.

Other than Dublin, Cork is the only Irish port with the capability to handle all five shipping modes: lift-on lift-off, roll-on roll-off, dry bulk, liquid bulk and break bulk. Services are available throughout the harbor area with public docking facilities provided at the City Quays, Ringaskiddy, Tivoli, and Cobh.

In recent times, subventions from the European Union Structural and Cohesion Funds, as well as substantial private investment, have contributed to a wide range of upgrades and extensions to the facilities offered by the Port of Cork. In 1999 the Port of Cork spent €13.46 million on capital investment. Of this expenditure €3.0 million (22.6%) was contributed in the form of European support.

The remainder of the report is divided into 6 sections. Section 2 gives a background to the Port of Cork's business. The major areas in which the Port of Cork has impacts are highlighted. Section 3provides a description of the techniques used in this study. Section 4details the breakdown of the estimated amount of expenditure generated by various activities at the Port of Cork. The various estimates of the contributions of the Port of Cork are provided. Type I and Type II multipliers are also reported. Section 5presents the conclusion to the report.


2. BACKGROUND TO THE PORT OF CORK

This section provides a brief description of the Port of Cork's activities and influences on the Irish economy. The Port of Cork itself employs more than 124 workers directly. As well as these employees, many other companies are involved in operating ships and handling cargoes. These companies include truck drivers, crane drivers, railroad employees, dock and warehouse workers, and tugboat crews. For example, the Port of Cork Yearbook 1998/99 lists 47 companies acting as shipping agents, forwarding agents and stevedores.

There are four main facilities operated by the Port of Cork.

  • City Quays, which for centuries handled the bulk of the Port's traffic. In recent years, large volumes of this work have been transferred to other port facilities but these quays still continue to handle 780,000 tons per year.
  • Tivoli Industrial and Dock Estate, which handles the Port's container traffic, as well as shortsea car carriers, bulk liquids, livestock and ore concentrates.
  • Ringaskiddy offers a range of deepwater and specialist port facilities, including roll-on roll-off, dry bulk and bulk liquid facilities. This area offers an infrastructure base to attract foreign direct investment into the area.
  • Lower Harbor Quays contain many privately owned quays, including the Whitegate oil refinery. In addition to the private facilities, Cobh Deepwater Quay is also situated in the lower harbor.

Other operators at the Port include ship owners, companies and their agents that use the Port of Cork to export their products and import raw materials. Among the more prominent within the Port's immediate region are:

  • Scheduled Lift-on lift-off Services including HKCIL, EUCON, BG Freightline and Rheintainer Linie/Seawheel Ireland. These companies generate business not only for the Port but also in the road and rail transport areas.
  • Scheduled Roll-on Roll-off and Car Ferry Services include Swansea Cork Ferries, Brittany Ferries and Grimaldi Euro-Med. These generate indirect impacts through use of transport facilities and the spending of tourists arriving by ferry.
  • Cruise Liner Traffic: In recent years there has been increasing cruise liner traffic to the Port of Cork, arriving mainly at the dedicated facilities in Cobh. These operations generate impacts through passenger and tourist spending.
  • Stevedoring Companies.

Other port users include those businesses that make significant use of the waterborne commerce for shipping or receiving goods. The Port of Cork is now Ireland's premier deepwater port. The availability of this resource has attracted a wide range of industry to the greater Cork region. These include power generation, fertilizer manufacture, chemical plants, oil refining, offshore gas and oil servicing, and steel manufacturing. Many of these users of port facilities are based in the port area.


3. TECHNIQUES

This section provides a brief description of the input-output modelling techniques used in this study. Miller and Blair (1985) offer a more thorough treatment. The conventional interpretation of input-output is of models characterised by unemployment and excess capacity, that is a passive supply framework, imperfect competition and a short-run focus. Input-output assumes fixed relative prices, or zero response to changes in relative prices. There is no simultaneous calculation of prices and quantities.

An input-output model is one in which inter-industry linkages are explicitly specified, described by the United Nations Statistical Office (1968: 7) as:

a theoretical scheme, a set of simultaneous linear equations in which the unknowns are the levels of output of various branches, and in which the parameters are empirically estimated from the information contained in the input-output table.

Central to the use of input-output models is the assumption that input demand is a fixed proportion of total output. Any increase in total output will lead to a specific increase in each input category used in the production of that output. The technical coefficient for any sector (aij) gives the input required from sector i to produce a unit increase of sector j's output.

(1) aij = zij/Xj

where

zij = total output from sector i used as an input in sector j

Xj = total output of sector j.

An input-output model is based on the use of data organised in the form of an input-output table. This table provides a picture of the structure of an economy at a given time. The table itself is useful as a data source, independent of the technological assumptions used to motivate a Leontief model.

An input-output table describes the various flows of inputs into the productive process and matches these with outputs which are consumed in final demand. It represents the productive structure of an economy at a given point in time. The table shows the inter-industry transactions, the final demand, and the primary input sections.

Taking a flow of intermediate goods from sector i to sector j as zij, production in sector i as Xi, the price of output in sector i as Pi and final demand for output from sector i as Fi, then the value of output produced by sector i is

(2) PiXi = SjPizij + PiFi

Substituting equation 1 into equation 2 gives

(3) Xi = SjaijXi + Fi

Equation 3 indicates that total output is the sum of products for intermediate use and output which is consumed in final demand. It is the ith row of the matrix equation

(4) X = AX + F

A represents the matrix of technical coefficients aij, X represents the matrix of gross output and F represents the matrix of final demands from domestic and foreign institutions.

Equation 4 can be solved for X giving

(5)X = (I - A)-1F

The input-output model and solution shown above assume that the final demand sector is exogenous to the system and there is no feedback into final demand after the initial stimulus. This type of structure, which we use, is called an open input-output model.

Expenditures at the Port of Cork are treated as augmenting the final demand matrix. The X matrix is a 39x1 matrix, with each row representing an industry in the NACE classification. Expenditures at the port were assigned to an industry on the basis of confidential interviews with Port officials and firms at the port.

Three impacts were calculated.

(i) The Direct Contribution

The direct contribution to a region or country represents the impact of the spending by the operators at the Port of Cork on goods and services produced in the Ireland.

(ii) The Indirect Contribution

Indirect Contributions are those which occur when local suppliers to businesses in receipt of expenditure in turn purchase goods and services to meet demand.

(iii) The Induced Contribution

Induced Contributions refer to the additional consumer expenditure that takes place when the income generated from the direct and indirect contributions is in turn spent.

For both indirect and induced contributions, these effects will be higher when leakages from the economy are lower - in other words, when the expenditure on imports from outside the country or region under analysis are lower.

The sum of the direct, indirect and induced contributions, described above, represents the overall contribution of cruise liner traffic. These contributions may be expressed both in absolute terms and in terms of multipliers for output (i.e. purchases of inputs), income and employment. The total contribution of cruise liner passengers can thus be expressed in terms of money and jobs.

Once the absolute contributions are estimated the direct, indirect and induced multipliers are obtained. From these multipliers two other multipliers are calculated Type 1 multipliers reflecting the direct and indirect impact and Type 2 multipliers which represent the induced impact in addition to the direct and indirect impacts. The type 2 multiplier indicates that the overall impact expenditure on the region or country.


4. ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE PORT OF CORK

This section details the contributions of the Port of Cork in 1999. The contributions are given under various headings:

  • Port of Cork Company operations;
  • Industries operating at the Port;
  • Shipping companies using the port; and
  • The shipping agents.
  • Tourist and related spending
4.1 Contribution of Port of Cork Company Operations

In order to assess the direct impact of the Port of Cork operations the authors obtained from the Port of Cork a detailed break down of its expenditure for 1999. These expenditures were applied to the input-output Model. The data requested included total expenditure on goods and services, employment, wages and salaries and expenditure on capital.

Table 1 presents the direct expenditure by Port of Cork on Irish goods and services and on wages and salaries in 1999. Total expenditure was €26.74 million, of which €13.28 million (49.7%) was spent on current expenditure and €13.46 million (50.3%) was spent on capital investment. Of the current expenditure, €5.47 million (41.2% of total current expenditure) was spent on goods and services, and the remaining €7.81 million (58.8%) was spent on wages and salaries.

Table 1: Summary of Port of Cork Direct Expenditures and Employment -1999

Expenditure ( millions)
Current Expenditure
13.28
Capital Expenditure
13.46
Total Expenditure
26.74
Employment
Total
124

The overall contribution is reported in Table 2. Using details of the magnitude of the initial injection in conjunction with the input-output model, it is possible to estimate the magnitude of the direct, indirect and induced contributions.

Table 2: Economic Impacts of Port of Cork Company Current Expenditure

Type of Contribution Expenditure in Ireland
(€ millions)
Multipliers Employment (FTEs)
Direct
13.28
1.00
124
Indirect
7.57
0.57
133
Induced
3.76
0.28
73
Overall Contribution
24.61
----
330
Type I
----
1.57
----
Type II
-----
1.85
----

Collectively the direct, indirect and induced contributions represent the overall contribution to Ireland. The overall contribution is in terms of money and jobs.

The total current expenditure of €13.28 results in an injection of €9.36 million into the country when account is taken of leakages to the rest of the world. When the multiplier effects are traced through the model, the overall contribution is €20.68 million. In terms of employment, the direct effect of the Port of Company expenditure supports 124 jobs with the overall contribution representing 330 jobs.

Based on the absolute values shown in Tables 1 and 2, the corresponding multipliers are calculated and reported in Table 2. As well as the indirect and induced multipliers, Type 1 multipliers reflecting the direct and the indirect impact are shown along with Type 2 multipliers which represent the induced impact in addition to the direct and indirect impacts. The Type 2 multiplier indicates that the overall impact of the expenditure on the country is 1.85 times the initial injection.

Table 2 reports the GNP multipliers for the direct current expenditure in Ireland. The type I multiplier which includes the direct and the indirect impact is 1.57 and the Type II multiplier which includes the direct, indirect and induced impacts is 1.85.

Over the years the Port of Cork Company has consistently invested in the updating its facilities. Table 3 gives the total value of this spending for Ireland.

Table 3: Economic Contribution of the Port of Cork Company's Capital Expenditure (1999)

Type of ContributionExpenditure (£m) MultiplierEmployment
Direct
13.46
1.00
------.
Indirect
6.13
0.46
201
Induced
2.39
0.18
82
Overall Contribution
21.98
----
293
Type I
----
1.46
-----
Type II
-----
1.64
-----

In 1999 the Port of Cork Company spent €13.46 million on capital expenditures. Of this total 54% (€7.26 million) was spent in Ireland. The total impact of this expenditure was €15.78 million and 293 full time equivalent jobs. As these expenditures are once of impacts their overall contribution are less long lasting in terms of measurements in this study. Also capital expenditure tends to vary greatly from year to year. For example in 1998, the Port of Cork Company spent €3.53 million. This expenditure was only 26% of the 1999 level.

As with current expenditure, the GNP multipliers for the direct spend in the country are also provided in Table 3. The type I multiplier is 1.84 and the Type II multiplier is 2.16.

The overall impact of the Port of Cork company on the Irish Economy is €46.59 million and 629 FTE jobs. The aggregate Type I multiplier is 1.51 and the Type II multiplier is 1.74.

4.2 Contribution of Industrial Users of the Port of Cork

The overall contribution of the Port of Cork Company to the Irish economy is only one of the contributions related to port activities. As discussed earlier, a large number of related companies operate at the port and incur expenditures independently of the Port of Cork Company.

The various port users who have direct expenditures operating at the port were surveyed. Only that portion of a company's expenditure and employment used in their operations at the Port is included. These estimates were obtained by interviewing various companies operating at the Port. The types of users reported in this section are the industries operating at and through the Port and private piers in the harbor region, and the shipping agents. These estimates include stevedoring and dock workers.

The Port users employ 762 full-time equivalent employees, and spend €56.96 million on their Port operations on Irish goods services and wages and salaries. Of this €18.98 (33.3%) is spent on wages and salaries. We estimate from our surveys that 65% of this expenditure is on Irish goods and services. These direct expenditures are used to calculate total impacts.

Using these estimates of expenditure, the total contribution of these companies to the Irish economy was calculated. These contributions are provided in Table 4. The total impact of these operations is €117.77 million. Of this total contribution €56.96 million is directly related to the various companies' operations. The balance of €60.81 million is the total of the indirect and induced activities. Overall employment related to the activities of port users is 1436 full time equivalent jobs, 762 directly and the balance due to indirect and induced activity. The indirect, induced, Type II and Type II multipliers are also reported.

Table 4: Summary of Total Contribution Port Users' Expenditures and Employment - 1999

Type of ContributionExpenditure (€m) MultipliersEmployment
Direct
56.96
1.00
762
Indirect
40.44
0.71
435
Induced
20.37
0.36
227
Overall Contribution
117.77
----
1436
Type I
----
1.71
----
Type II
----
2.07
----

4.3 Contribution of Tourist Expenditures - 1999

An estimated 226,000 foreign tourists used the Port of Cork as an entry or exit point in 1999. Of this total 16,000 (7.1% of the total) arrived on cruise liners. Of the remainder 140,000 (61.9%) were foreign tourists arriving on the various ferries operating out of the Port of Cork. In 1997 the Port of Cork company published a report by Donnellan and Moloney (1997) estimating the value of cruise liner business. This study, updated with the 1993 input-output Tables (CSO, 1999a), is used to estimate the value of this type of tourist expenditure in 1999. Figures supplied by Bórd Fáilte are used to estimate the direct spending of the remainder of the tourist traffic.

Table 5: Aggregate Expenditure by Cruise Passenger, Ferry Passenger and Crew - 1999

Passengers
Million
Cruise
4.53
Ferry
59.55
Crew
1.10
Total
65.19

Table 5 provides estimates of direct value of expenditure in 1999. The total expenditure by each category of tourist is provided. Donnellan and Moloney (1997, 2000) showed that cruise liner tourists had higher and distinct spending patterns compared to the spending patterns of other tourists. This is illustrated by the fact that although tourists from cruise liners only spent on average 1 day in Cork, their per capita spending was approximately €283. Other tourists arriving by ferry transport are estimated to spent €425 per capita on their holidays. Spending by crew members from cruise liners is estimated as €47 per capita. Total spending by tourists on goods and services was €65.19 million. Tourists arriving on the various ferries using the Port of Cork accounted for approximately 91.4% of this spending. This illustrates the importance of maintaining these services to the region and country.

Table 6 provides estimates of the total contribution made to the country through expenditures incurred by ferry and cruise liner visitors and by crew members using the Port of Cork as their access point in 1999.

The overall contribution is €120.13 million and 1521 full-time equivalent jobs. This level of contribution to the tourist industry indicates the importance of maintaining and maximizing this type of traffic for the port region. The Type I multiplier is 1.58 and the Type II multiplier is 1.84.

Table 6: Economic Contribution Ferry and Cruise Liner Tourist Expenditure - 1999

Type of Contribution
Purchases (€ millions)
Multipliers
Employment
Direct
65.19
1.00
-----
Indirect
37.81
0.58
1065
Induced
17.13
0.26
456
Overall Contribution
120.13
----
1521
Type I
----
1.58
----
Type II
----
1.84
----

5. CONCLUSION

Although the various categories are not strictly aggregatable they are approximately so. The results indicate the actual and potential substantial benefits both financial and in employment to the Irish economy. The total contribution of the Port of Cork is approximately €284.48 million in 1999 and the total employment linked to these operations is 3580 full time equivalent jobs.

Quite apart from the importance of the Port of Cork to the economy as outlined above, the Port can act as a catalyst for development. The port of Cork should be seen as a generator of economic activity in its own right. The Port can be used to maximise the exploitation of infrastructure investment, reduce transportation costs between linked industrial processes, develop and make economical use of a pool of skilled workers, and provide marketing concentration.


REFERENCES

Central Statistics Office (1999a). Input-Output Tables for 1993, Stationery Office, Dublin.

Central Statistics Office (1999b). Statistical Release, Stationery Office, Dublin (October).

Deane, B. and E.W. Henry (1993). "The Economic Impact of Tourism," The Irish Banking Review (Winter): 35-47.

Donnellan, T. and R. Moloney (1997). The Economic Value of the Port of Cork's Cruise Liner Traffic to the Economy of Cork, Kerry and Waterford. Report commissioned by Port of Cork Company.

Donnellan, T. and R. Moloney (2000). "Tourist Expenditure - A Comparative Study of National and Regional Impacts: Case Study of the Port of Cork's Cruise Liner Traffic," paper presented at the Fourteenth Annual Conference of the Irish Economic Association, Waterford, 2 April.

Garhart, R. and R. Moloney (1994). Irish Input-Output: A Survey, UCC Department of Economics Working Paper Series 94-5.

Garhart, R., R. Moloney, E. O'Leary and T. Donnellan (1997). An Input-Output Model of South-West Ireland: A Preliminary Report, Department of Economics Working Paper Series 97-3.

Leontief, W. (1936). "Quantitative Input-output Relations in the Economic System of the United States." Review of Economics and Statistics 18 (3): 105-125.

Leontief, W. (1941). The Structure of American Economy: 1919-1929 New York: Oxford University Press.

Miller, R. and P. Blair (1985). Input-Output Analysis: Foundations and Extensions Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.

Moloney, R., W. Sjostrom, and R. Burke (2000). The Economic Contribution of the Port of Cork to the Irish Economy, Report commissioned by the Port of Cork Company.

Port of Cork (1997). Corporate Plan, 1997-2001, Port of Cork.

Port of Cork (1999). Yearbook 1998/1999, Port of Cork.

United Nations Statistical Office (1968). A System of National Accounts, Series F, No.2, Rev.3, New York: United Nations.

West, G. (1993). Input-Output Analysis for Practitioners: An Interactive Input-Output Software Package- User's Guide, Department of Economics, University of Queensland, Australia.

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Four entities pre-qualified for the concession of the cargo terminals of the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk
Gdansk
These are APM Terminals, Mariner/TAS, Yilport Holding and AD Ports/SKF Holdings UK
New attack on a ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz
Southampton
The container ship Ever Lovely was hit by a shell off the coast of Oman.
In 2025, 1,478 containers were lost at sea out of a total of 280 million transported by ships
Washington
On January 1st, the IMO regulation came into force which makes reporting of boxes lost at sea mandatory
BIMCO and ICS' latest report on the maritime workforce raises alarm over officer shortages
London/Bagsværd
In 2026, there will be a shortage of 39,100 STCW certified officers.
In 2025, intermodal traffic handled by Kombiverkehr decreased by -13.5%
Frankfurt am Main
Annual revenues down 8.3%
The government's proposal to update the rules on port governance raises more than one doubt
Rome
Costa: The lack of infrastructure planning cannot be solved with a joint stock company
MSC Cruises and Meyer Werft have not yet signed contracts for four new cruise ships plus two options.
Papenburg/Geneva
The companies expressed confidence that they could successfully conclude negotiations in the coming weeks.
The LSCI index of Italy's connection to the global network of containerized maritime services continues to grow.
The LSCI index of Italy's connection to the global network of containerized maritime services continues to grow.
Geneva
In the second quarter of 2026 it was equal to 290.0 (+2.3%)
AD Ports has completed the acquisition of an 81% stake in Global Feeder Shipping.
Abu Dhabi
In 2025, the company's ships carried 2.8 million containers
An evacuation plan has been established for ships still waiting to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
London/Muscat
Dominguez (IMO): The operation will be carried out in close cooperation with Iran, Oman, all other coastal states in the region, the USA and the maritime industry
Carnival Cruise Line Reports Record Revenue for March-May Quarter
Carnival Cruise Line Reports Record Revenue for March-May Quarter
Miami
Fuel costs rise to near-record levels in 2022
Reducing navigation speed and optimizing port calls are the key to decarbonizing shipping
Copenhagen
A new study by the Global Maritime Forum highlights this.
ECSA and A4E reiterate the need to allocate EU ETS revenues to the decarbonisation of ships and aircraft
Brussels
Essential to bridge the price gap between sustainable and conventional fuels
AD Ports' new bid to gain control of Egypt's ALCN rejected
Cairo
A new proposal worth approximately $580 million has been submitted.
John Denholm is the new president of the International Chamber of Shipping
Rome
He succeeds Emanuele Grimaldi, who has completed his four-year term
A ship was hit by a drone in the Black Sea
Odessa
One of the nine crew members died
Port of La Spezia: Dredging of the third port basin and navigable canal begins.
La Spezia
Yesterday, 25 ships passed through Hormuz, the highest daily number since April 18.
Singapore
Since March, the average has been 7.6 transits per day
Interferry calls on the EU to implement the EES pragmatically, or to suspend it
Victoria
The upcoming high summer season - the association denounced - risks suffering serious inconveniences
In the first three months of 2026, freight traffic in French ports increased by +3.8%
Paris
General cargo and solid bulk cargo are growing. Liquid bulk cargo remains stable.
BIMCO and Intertanko stress that there are still significant risks to the Hormuz crossing
Copenhagen/London
In April, freight traffic in the ports of Genoa and Savona-Vado Ligure grew by +1.7%
Genoa
The Boards of Directors of the Basins and Maritime Stations Authority have been renewed.
After more than 100 days in the Persian Gulf, Grimaldi's PCTC Grande Torino has passed through Hormuz
Naples
Transit authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran
US-Iran agreement signed to restore naval traffic through Hormuz
Islamabad/Tehran
Lifting of the American naval blockade and demining of the waters
Assocostieri, port governance reform should take into account the specific nature of strategic energy infrastructure in ports.
Confitarma rejects any form of toll in the Strait of Hormuz.
Naples
Zanetti: We reaffirm the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation.
Federagenti proposes to allocate the concession fees proportionally to Ports of Italy and the AdSPs to finance the new joint stock company
Rome
DP World in talks to build container terminal at Texas port of Corpus Christi
Charlotte/Los Angeles
Container traffic at the Port of Los Angeles grew by 17.2% last month.
Assarmatori criticizes Brussels, but also Rome, for what they are doing to decarbonize the shipping industry.
Rome
Messina: A return to normalcy in the Strait of Hormuz will not be immediate.
US firm Enstructure buys Logistec's US port terminal network
Wellesley/New York/Montreal
It operates a total of 84 terminals in the USA
Uiltrasporti is strongly opposed to the establishment of Porti d'Italia Spa
Rome
Verzari and Gulli: the AdSPs must be coordinated by a public body that can protect port workers
CMPort sets new monthly, quarterly and half-yearly container traffic records
Hong Kong
In the first half of 2026, 78.3 million were moved (+4.6%)
In the first half of this year, the port of Singapore handled 22.7 million containers (+4.7%)
Singapore
Historic record for half-year bunker sales
Container traffic at the Port of Long Beach increased by 10.3% in the second quarter.
Long Beach
Growth of +1.7% was recorded in the first half of 2026
The new board of directors of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane has been appointed.
Rome
Tommaso Tanzilli confirmed as president. Gianpiero Strisciuglio is the new CEO.
Port of Gioia Tauro: tender launched for completion of dredging activities
Gioia Tauro
The expected duration of the contract is 60 days
In the first half of 2026, cargo traffic in Turkish ports was 279.1 million tonnes (+1.5%)
Ankara
Cargoes with Italy alone amounted to 23.4 million tons (-2.5%)
The first steel cutting of the Carnival Destiny cruise ship.
Monfalcone
Fincantieri and Carnival celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of their collaboration
NatPower Marine acquires Aqua superPower to accelerate the electrification of ports and marinas
Monk
It operates the largest international network of electric charging points in Europe.
European Logistics Observatory established
Brussels
The aim is to strengthen the competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of European logistics.
Agreement reached at Mimit with JSW to relaunch the Piombino steelworks
Rome/Livorno
Gariglio: Strengthening integration between port docks and industrial areas
Agreement between Fincantieri and the Croatian shipyards Brodotrogir Cruise and Iskra Shipyard
Trieste
Initiative within the framework of the two-corvette program promoted by the Croatian Ministry of Defence
Evergreen, Yang Ming and WHL return to quarterly revenue growth
Keelung/Taipei
Four consecutive quarters of decline behind us
Project for a direct rail link between the port of Gioia Tauro and the Interporto D'Abruzzo
Pescara
PSA Genova Pra', the state of agitation has been lifted following the successful completion of the cooling procedure.
Genoa
Tax fraud on labor in the logistics sector
Milan
€28 million seized from four Milanese companies
ZPMC Delivers New Ultra-High Wind-Resistant Port Cranes
Shanghai
The world's tallest rail-mounted reach stackers for empty containers have also been built.
Peninsula and Itochu form joint venture to supply ammonia bunkering to European ports
Gibraltar
The initiative in response to the growing demand for zero-carbon fuels
Konecranes announced its entry into Japan
Helsinki/Tokyo
Acquisition of 70% of Mitsubishi Electric FA Industrial Products
Saipem wins $2 billion contract in Indonesia
Milan
Seven IMO regional coordinators have been introduced who will provide technical support to the organisation's Member States.
London
Jadrolinija has inaugurated its new fast maritime service Ancona-Zadar
Ancona/Zara
It provides five departures per week and a crossing of approximately four hours.
Hapag-Lloyd to reorganize services in the Adriatic
Hamburg
The port of Ancona, removed from the ADX line, will continue to be served by the IAS service
Eleven nominations for the eighteenth edition of the ESPO Award
Brussels
This year's theme is dual-use port-city projects
SAILING LIST
Visual Sailing List
Departure ports
Arrival ports by:
- alphabetical order
- country
- geographical areas
Jotun COSCO Marine Coatings signs agreement with COSCO Shipping Bulk for 125 new vessels
Sandefjord
Advanced hull performance solutions will be implemented
Maersk issues first order for new containers produced in India
Copenhagen
Local production has been stimulated by the introduction of incentives
Last May, freight traffic in the port of Ravenna grew by +3.4%
Ravenna
An increase of +10.6% is expected in June
Sardinia's Port Authority spent approximately €157 million in PNRR funds
Cagliari
Achievement of the targets expected by June 30, 2026
Hannibal will inaugurate a new intermodal service from Melzo to Rotterdam Europoort on July 8th.
Melzo
Six weekly trains are scheduled that will be able to carry up to 38 cargo units
PSA to build and operate container terminal at Vietnam's Lach Huyen port
Singapore
Agreement with Lach Huyen International Logistics & Industrial Park
Sandro Bucchioni and Andrea Fontana confirmed as presidents of the La Spezia freight forwarders and maritime agents.
La Spezia
New two-year mandate
Konecranes has acquired the nuclear and port services segment of Spain's Coapsa.
Hyvinkää
The company has an annual turnover of approximately four million euros.
PSA Italy presented its 2025 Sustainability Report
Genoa
The document highlights, among other things, the employment data and the economic impact on the territory
The Central-Northern Adriatic Port Authority confirms the completion of the projects financed by the PNRR
Ravenna
Mirco Carloni has taken office as president of the Central Adriatic Port System Authority.
Ancona
The Grimaldi Group has taken delivery of the new PCTC Grande Oriente
Naples
It will be placed on the Asia-Europe route
Port of La Spezia: 60 Sea Log workers rehired by other port companies
La Spezia
Pisano (AdSP): very satisfied with the positive conclusion of this dispute
The Central Adriatic Port Authority announces that it has achieved its objectives under the PNRR
Ancona
The funds coming from the plan financed by the European Union amounted to 39.6 million euros
A workshop on cold ironing and related risks and insurance solutions will be held in London.
London
Rossi (ADVANT-Nctm): effective infrastructure development must necessarily take into account legal and insurance aspects
Fincantieri signs an agreement in Albania for shipbuilding training.
Trieste
Skills development for the growth of the new Pashaliman naval industrial hub
Reorganization of ro-pax traffic areas in the port of Catania
Catania
Ferries will no longer be moored on the central jetty or along the eastern breakwater
Maersk raises fiscal 2026 forecast
Copenhagen
Continued growth in demand for containerized shipping and increased spot rates
Green light for the awarding of railway shunting services in the ports of Savona and Vado
New trucking area in the port of Genoa
The Italian Ports Association will hold its assembly in Naples on Wednesday.
Rome
The discussion on port governance reform will be at the heart of the proceedings.
Registration for seafarers' registers is now open to non-EU citizens residing in Italy.
Genoa
Vidotto (Foundation of the Italian Merchant Marine Academy): a step towards civilization
Project to build shipyard in Tartous port expected to accelerate
Damascus
Meeting between a delegation from Kuzey Star Shipyard and the leaders of the Syrian General Authority for Ports and Customs
Port of Gioia Tauro: Work to reactivate hauling and launching operations has been completed.
Gioia Tauro
These operations had been at a standstill since 2024
The conference "EU-Mercosur Agreement: The Role of the Maritime Economy" will take place in Genoa on July 1st.
Genoa
PORTS
Italian Ports:
Ancona Genoa Ravenna
Augusta Gioia Tauro Salerno
Bari La Spezia Savona
Brindisi Leghorn Taranto
Cagliari Naples Trapani
Carrara Palermo Trieste
Civitavecchia Piombino Venice
Italian Interports: list World Ports: map
DATABASE
ShipownersShipbuilding and Shiprepairing Yards
ForwardersShip Suppliers
Shipping AgentsTruckers
MEETINGS
The conference "EU-Mercosur Agreement: The Role of the Maritime Economy" will be held in Genoa on July 1st.
Genoa
It is organized by the Casa America ETS Foundation and the Western Liguria Port Authority
The Federagenti assembly will be held in Civitavecchia on July 3rd.
Rome
Pessina: We will not discuss regulations, community relations, or the pursuit of theories and bureaucracy, but rather the challenges of Italian port infrastructure.
››› Meetings File
PRESS REVIEW
World's first floating fusion reactor-powered vessel could become reality with new project
(Interesting Engineering)
Shipbuilding's Spring Illusion: Backbone Collapses
(The Chosun Daily)
››› Press Review File
FORUM of Shipping
and Logistics
Intervento del presidente Tomaso Cognolato
Roma, 19 giugno 2025
››› File
In Spain, €11.8 million in eco-incentives have been allocated for the use of motorways of the sea.
Madrid
163,672 shipments made by 32 companies subsidized
ABB has signed an agreement to buy Norwegian marine automation company Høglund.
Zurich
The Tønsberg-based company's integrated automation system is currently installed on over 600 vessels.
Port of Gioia Tauro: tender launched for the redevelopment of the ro-ro docks
Gioia Tauro
Worth 5.6 million euros, the works will last 210 days
Grimaldi confirms the important role of the port of Catania in its strategies
Catania
The aim is to increase services and make existing ones even more efficient.
Annual growth of +6% in cruise traffic and +2% in ferry traffic is expected in the Adriatic
Venice
It is the only Mediterranean region to have recorded a decline in cruises in the period 2019-2025
PSA Padova established to develop and manage the Padua intermodal terminal
Padua
The shareholders of Interporto Padova and Padova Hall have approved the merger plan
The Federagenti assembly will be held in Civitavecchia on July 3rd.
Rome
Pessina: We will not discuss regulations, community relations, or the pursuit of theories and bureaucracy, but rather the challenges of Italian port infrastructure.
Spediporto has opened its own representative office in Hong Kong
Genoa
Giachero: the opening of this desk is also an opportunity for young people
Arcese, Conti and Cosulich establish a company for the port logistics of finished vehicles
Livorno
HMM orders eight bulk carriers and two gas carriers
Seoul
Investment of approximately 1.1 billion dollars
MPC Container Ships has purchased four 7,000 TEU containerships built between 2023 and 2024.
Oslo
Investment of 340 million dollars
FedEx posts record quarterly and annual revenue
Memphis
Total revenues in fiscal year 2026 amounted to $94.7 billion (+7.7%)
Geopolitical uncertainty has become the main risk for shipping
Munich
Evergreen purchases 140,500 new containers in China
Taipei
Investments totaling $358.9 million
Yesterday, the Strait of Hormuz was crossed by 42 commercial vessels
Paris
For the first time since the beginning of the conflict, several LNG tankers entered the Persian Gulf
Memorandum of Understanding for the Launch of Drone Use in the Port of Palermo
Palermo
Submission of the request for the establishment of U-Space
Saipem wins new $1 billion offshore contract in Angola
Milan
It was awarded by Azule Energy for the Greater PAJ project
Port of Ancona: Dredging work has begun on the seabed of quay 22.
Ancona
Approximately six thousand cubic meters of sediment will be removed
Confitarma welcomes clarifications regarding ship waste collection management.
Rome
The need for uniform application of the legislation throughout the country was highlighted.
The Tuscan Cooperation Development Fund invests in Uniport Livorno.
Livorno
Operation for a total of 880 thousand euros carried out together with co-investor Coopfond
Fit-Cisl, recognizing dock work as arduous is a priority
Genoa
Pagnotta: This is not a corporate claim, but a question of social justice.
Hupac increases weekly rotations between Antwerp and Busto Arsizio via France to four.
Noise
Two additional departures of the intermodal service introduced
From July, the tariff for naval transit through the Turkish Straits will increase by +14.9%.
Istanbul
It will be raised to $6.70 per net tonne
Fincantieri and Republikorp sign agreement to build multipurpose naval vessels in Indonesia.
Paris
The establishment of a joint venture is planned
Study on the divergences between the EU Ship Recycling Regulation and the Hong Kong Convention
Brussels/London
It has been published by ECSA and ICS
The 2026-2028 POT of the Southern Tyrrhenian and Ionian Sea Port Authority has been approved.
Gioia Tauro
Approval also granted to the 2026 budget forecast variation and to the update of the Port's Staffing Plan.
Autonomous Navigation: ABS, Polaris Shipping, HHI, and AVIKUS Sign Agreement
Athens
It will be tested on a VLOC under certain low-risk conditions
Tomorrow in Sant'Agnello (Naples) the inauguration event of the Italy Branch of The Nautical Institute
London
The topics of discussion will include energy transition in the maritime industry, maritime education and training.
The Municipality of Bologna is reconsidering the divestment of its stake in Interporto Bologna.
Bologna/Bentivoglio
An institutional delegation from Flanders visited the interport
Eni and Fincantieri sign agreement to develop innovative underwater monitoring technologies.
Milan/Trieste
Agreement focused on Eni's "Clean Sea" technology
In 2025, LNG consumption in Italy grew by +11% driven by industry and new uses, with the debut in the naval segment
Rome
Amadei (Federchimica LNG Group): Use ETS and FuelEU revenues to support investments and deployment of lower-carbon fuels.
RT&L partners with China's Guangzhou Salvage to strengthen its project cargo segment
Genoa
Bizzarri: the sector is characterised by wide margins for development and profitability
Last year, cargo traffic in Greek ports amounted to 140.8 million tons (-1.5%)
Piraeus
Goods volumes remained unchanged in the fourth quarter only
The International Container Study Center's board and governing body have been renewed.
Genoa
Filippo Gallo confirmed as president and Paolo Pessina as vice-president
Catani (GNV): allocate ETS proceeds to the development of synthetic fuel production chains.
Rome
Resources - he specified - also for port infrastructures and the reduction of the cost differential compared to traditional fuels
Consultation launched on plans to expand the port areas of Fos
Marseille
The goal is to involve residents and local stakeholders
Somec signs €60 million contract with Finnish shipyard
San Vendemiano
One of the most complex interventions ever entrusted to the Horizons division
Daniele Rossi, former president of the port of Ravenna, has passed away.
Rome
He led the port authority for over eight years
ONE will remove calls in Greece and Türkiye from its Adriatic Service 1 service.
Singapore
In Italy it touches the ports of Venice and Ancona
The first phase of the APM Terminals terminal in the port of Suape has been inaugurated.
Suape
It will become operational in the second half of this year
Container traffic increased in May at the ports of Singapore and Hong Kong
Singapore/Hong Kong
Singapore sets record bunkering levels for liquefied natural gas and pure B100 biodiesel
Vavassori confirmed as president of the Lombardy Association of Freight Forwarders and Haulers
Milan
Albertina Schiavoni and Mario Zini have been appointed vice-presidents
The president of Angopi receives the first professional certificate of competence as a mooring man.
Savona
The certificate must be renewed every five years.
Fincantieri has delivered the new cruise ship Mein Schiff Flow to TUI Cruises.
Hamburg/Monfalcone
With a gross tonnage of approximately 160,000 tons, it has a capacity of approximately 4,000 passengers.
In the first three months of 2026, freight traffic in the port of Palermo decreased by -6.3%
Palermo
Traffic also decreased in the ports of Termini Imerese, Trapani, and Licata. Increases occurred in Porto Empedocle and Gela.
The Antitrust Authority has not given its final approval for the acquisition of Armas' assets and activities by Baleària.
Barcelona
Set a series of conditions
Assarmatori's annual assembly will take place in Rome on Tuesday.
Rome
The event's theme is "Instructions for not navigating in the dark."
VARD to build a new generation fishing vessel
Trieste
It was ordered by the Norwegian company Rosund Drift
Concentration in the UK shipbuilding sector
London
Baleana buys APCL Group (A&P Tyne, Cammell Laird and A&P Falmouth and Falmouth Docks and Engineering)
Royal Caribbean has taken delivery of its new Legend of the Seas cruise ship.
Miami
Built by Meyer Turku, it can accommodate 5,610 passengers
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