Official visit by Deputy Minister Rixi to the Port of Taranto

PORT OF TARANTO, 10 FEBRUARY 2025 – This afternoon, Edoardo Rixi, Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, paid an official visit to the Ionian port. 

The President of the Port Network Authority of the Ionian Sea (AdSPMI), Sergio Prete, outlined the main critical issues — particularly concerning the steel plant and the completion of the dredging works — as well as the opportunities for the Port of Taranto, including initiatives linked to offshore wind energy. These projects will enable the port to undergo a significant economic and environmental transformation.

In addition to green energy production projects, the President highlighted investments aimed at developing the shipbuilding sector — including luxury shipbuilding — and urban-port interface initiatives, such as the construction of the new East Gate. This project will give the port and the local community renewed access to areas adjacent to the city’s core.

The meeting allowed the Deputy Minister to gain further insights into the projects and actions positioning Taranto as a multimodal and logistics hub, particularly within the energy sector.

At the end of the visit, the Deputy Minister toured port infrastructures including the Logistics Platform, the 4th Overhang, and the Multipurpose Pier.

“The ports of Apulia are proving to be engines of development and innovation”, stated Deputy Minister Rixi, “addressing investment and growth challenges with vision and pragmatism, thanks to governance that values each port’s uniqueness and champions the energy transition. Taranto is preparing to become a leading hub for offshore wind, dedicating 50% of the Multipurpose Pier to green energy production — a key intervention in the city’s economic and environmental reconversion, which is being pursued with determination and clarity”.

“The visit of Deputy Minister Rixi to the Port of Taranto”, added AdSPMI President Sergio Prete, “was a significant moment of dialogue and reflection — a valuable opportunity for institutional discussion between the Port and the Government. The current snapshot of the Port of Taranto shows, on the one hand, a path of development marked by vulnerabilities and challenges; on the other hand, it reflects a series of projects and interventions that are gradually being realised. This invites reflection on a future development strategy that positions the Ionian port as a virtuous example of innovation and sustainability”.