Italian ports handled close to 250 million tonnes of cargo during the first half of 2025, marking a 1.2% year-on-year increase, according to data released by Assoporti and SRM. Growth was supported by stronger container and solid bulk volumes, alongside rising passenger and cruise traffic, reinforcing the strategic importance of Italy’s port system within the Mediterranean region.
Cargo Trends and Passenger Traffic Performance
Container traffic increased by 2.6%, while solid bulk volumes surged by a notable 18.9%, helping offset declines in liquid bulk, which fell by 3.5%, and Ro-Ro traffic, down 1%. Passenger activity showed robust growth, with Italian ports handling nearly 30 million passengers, up 5.8% year on year. Cruise traffic mirrored this trend, reaching 5.6 million passengers, also reflecting a 5.8% increase.
Infrastructure, Decarbonisation and Mediterranean Focus
The update highlights continued progress on infrastructure and decarbonisation, particularly the rollout of shore power. A total of 25 cold-ironing connection points have now been contracted and/or installed across Italian ports. A special focus is placed on intra-Mediterranean container traffic, with the Mediterranean surpassing Northern Europe in 2024 container volumes, handling over 82 million TEU compared with 61 million TEU. Key growth hubs include Tanger Med, Valencia and Port Said, while EU short-sea traffic in the Mediterranean totals nearly 630 million tonnes. The top five carriers dominate the intra-Mediterranean market, accounting for 66.6% of total fleet capacity.
The first half of 2025 confirms the resilience and growing relevance of Italian ports amid shifting global trade dynamics. With steady cargo growth, rising passenger numbers, expanding shore power infrastructure, and strengthening Mediterranean connectivity, Italy’s port system continues to consolidate its role as a central gateway for European and global maritime trade.
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Source: PORT NEWS
