Minister Giovannini visiting the ports of Gioia Tauro and Messina

Referring to the port of Gioia Tauro, Minister Giovannini said that "the national government believes in the development of the port and the activities of the backport. The port of Gioia Tauro – specified - it is an excellence that is part of the overall strategy to integrate national logistics with that European'.

On the other side of the Strait, visiting the port of Messina the minister recalled that to strengthen and improve the dynamic crossing of the Strait of Messina, also from the point of view in view of environmental sustainability, have been foreseen investments of 510 million euros always from the PNRR, the PC and other national funds. Giovannini arrived in Messina in occasion of the inauguration of the ship Iginia of the fleet of Rete Ferroviaria italiana (RFI) which, with an investment of seven million euros of the PNRR, has been equipped with propulsion green. The ship is in fact equipped with batteries that recharge via solar panels or through the ground socket, a technology that offers maximum sustainability from the point of view environmental, ensuring zero emissions of carbon dioxide and gas greenhouse in port and in entry and exit maneuvers. The Iginia will enter into operation tomorrow to replace the old ship Villa from 1983 and will be used on the route Messina-Villa San Giovanni for the transport of passenger trains and freight trains. The ship, 147 meters long and 19 meters wide, can accommodate 700 people including the crew and has a capacity maximum of 27 railway wagons.

The hybridization of the ship Iginia is part of the program of redevelopment of the canal for the railway transhipment that provides for hybrid adaptation interventions on two other ships and the construction of ground infrastructure for charging, with a total investment of 20 million euros, financed by the PC. To improve the fast passenger transport service on the Strait of Messina is then expected to be purchased by RFI, with the financing of 60 million euros of the PC, of three means new generation LNG/electric propulsion ships that will significantly reduce emissions pollutants and the renewal of private naval fleets used at the crossing (for this last intervention will be disbursed contributions to subjects selected through a call).

At the same time, the Port System Authority of the Stretto has launched the "Stretto Green" project, which provides for the construction of a coastal deposit of natural gas liquefied and the electrification of the docks for the activation of the cold ironing in the ports of Messina, Milazzo, Reggio Calabria and Villa San Giovanni, for a total investment of 50 million euros, which will allow ships to shut down diesel engines while are on the quay.