A short-sea-shipping system for Liguria coast: first analysis at local, regional and cross-border scale

Abstract

Maritime transport is a key-factor for economic and strategic development of Europe. Furthermore, similar activities have a very relevant impact on environment, climate, health and well-being of citizens. An updated version of the Combined Transport Directive is planned for the Third Quarter of the European Commission's activity, which supports transition from road freight transport to low-emission modes, such as inland waterways, maritime and rail transport. Within this complex framework, present paper outlines first considerations coming from two projects currently taking place in Northern Italy, and more specifically within Liguria Regional context: "viAmare" and "Mobimart Plus". The shared aim is to develop short "seaways" solutions for passenger and freight on a local, regional and cross-border scale (Italy / France), starting from Genoese metropolitan area as a pivotal site. First outcomes of the research, after an initial phase of ports’ selection according to boats general features, show the importance of verifying different economic service scenarios and connections of more performative quays with urban regeneration projects of the waterfront.