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Mar
Genova: a leading player in the Blue Economy at major european events
The city of Genova has participated in the second annual Forum of the EU Mission... read more
Why invest in Genoa? Because it's a dynamic wonderful cosmopolitan smart high-tech creative innovative sustainable competitive cultural city.
Genoa is a wonderful city, brave and enterprising. One of Europe’s major cities, is a crossroads where economic, cultural and technological opportunities meet, creating the perfect place to live, work and be happy.
In communication with the destinations of the world, especially thanks to its port and the important and strategic modernisation measures covering the entire transport network, Genoa will be even more easy to reach.
A connected city that combines future, technology and history through projects that enhance the cultural and artistic heritage of its Old City Centre, without scarifying the dynamic and innovative component.
Projects that transform and redesign the city, with great attention to environmental sustainability, from the Eastern Waterfront project to the Polcevera Park project, and that relounch Genoa as a investments destination, creating opportunities for work and study for young people.
Key sectors
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INFRASTRUCTURE
Genova’s Strategic Infrastructure: Innovation and Development for a Connected City
Genoa is undergoing a significant infrastructure transformation, with strategic projects aimed at improving mobility, enhancing rail transport, and strengthening digital connectivity. These initiatives seek to consolidate the city's role as a logistics and technological hub in the Mediterranean, combining sustainability, efficiency, and innovation. Thanks to an integrated infrastructure system, Genoa is evolving into a more connected, competitive, and future-oriented city, ready to support economic and technological growth.
Genova Highway Bypass: A New Asset for Mobility
The Genova Highway Bypass (Gronda), set for completion in 2034, is a key infrastructure project designed to improve traffic flow and road safety. The plan includes 72 km of new highways, of which 50 km are tunnels, featuring 37 bridges and viaducts and 23 access points, with an estimated investment of €6-7 billion.
A significant aspect of the project is the management of 12 million cubic meters of excavated material, with 8 million cubic meters allocated for expanding the runway at Genoa Airport. Additionally, the plan includes the doubling of the A7 highway towards Milan, potentially completed ahead of schedule by 2032.
This infrastructure is crucial for facilitating road network maintenance and renewal, supporting the growth of the Port of Genoa, and enhancing connectivity between Northern Italy's major highways.
Redevelopment of the Genova Railway Hub and the Terzo Valico
The Genova Railway Hub is a key project aimed at improving local mobility and enhancing freight transport. The Terzo Valico dei Giovi, a 53-km high-speed/high-capacity rail line, will provide faster and more efficient connections to Milan and the rest of Europe, separating local and long-distance traffic.
The project includes the modernization of historic infrastructures, such as the Grazie Bassa Tunnel and the Facchini Tunnel, using advanced technologies to enable construction without disrupting railway traffic.
The goal is to shift 30% of freight transport to rail by 2030, reducing costs and emissions. The Terzo Valico will connect Genoa to Rotterdam and reduce travel time between Genoa and Milan to under an hour, cutting journey times by 33% and emissions by 55% compared to road transport.
GE-Campasso Enhancement: The Final Mile and Redevelopment of the Campasso Park
The Campasso Railway Park redevelopment will transform the area into a strategic freight terminal, connecting to the Port of Genova via the Fegino Junction. Currently comprising over 30 tracks, the area will be reduced to eight tracks, freeing up space for public infrastructure and urban regeneration projects.
Key projects completed and under development:
- New Campasso Road (already completed)
- Green dunes to protect residential areas
- Sports facilities and public spaces under design
- Urban redevelopment plan focused on local residents’ needs
This project aims to integrate logistics development with urban enhancement, improving the district’s livability and environmental sustainability.
Genova: A Hub for Digital Connectivity – Submarine Data Cables
Genoa is positioning itself as a strategic node for intercontinental connectivity, thanks to the landing of major submarine cables that manage data and energy flows. The city hosts two main interconnection facilities, located in Foce and Sturla, linked to the Lagaccio and Lungobisagno Istria data centers.
- Lagaccio Data Center, managed by Telecom Italia Sparkle
- GN1 Data Center in Lungobisagno Istria, built and managed by Equinix
The 2Africa cable, one of the largest submarine infrastructures worldwide, stretches 45,000 km and has a capacity of 180 Tbps, connecting 23 countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Activated in 2024, it lands at GN1, providing advanced connectivity for Africa.
Another major infrastructure is the BlueMed cable, with a capacity of up to 240 Tbps and a length of approximately 1,000 km, linking the Middle East, Africa, and Asia to key European hubs while reducing latency by 50% compared to terrestrial cables.
In 2022, the Municipality of Genova co-founded the Ge-DIX (Genoa Data Internet Exchange) consortium, allowing network operators to access incoming data in Genoa without compromising quality or performance.
Demonstrating Genova’s growing importance as a digital hub, Quadrivium Digital has acquired the former Bper Bank Computing Center to develop a new data center, which will connect to future intercontinental cables.
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Innovation and Technology
START-UPS AND ENTERPRISES
Genova's innovation ecosystem comprises over 200 innovative start-ups and significant institutional, public, and private partners: Camera di Commercio di Genova, FI.L.S.E. - Finanziaria Ligure per lo Sviluppo Economico, LigurCapital, Confindustria Genova, Università degli Studi di Genova, CNR di Genova, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, START 4.0 - Centro di Competenza, Job Centre, Liguria Digitale, Cofoundry, CONDIVISO, Distretto Ligure delle Tecnologie Marine, Legacoop Liguria, Social Hub Genova, Talent Garden Genova, Wylab, Compagnia delle Opere Liguria.
In Genoa, a well-established network of high-tech companies operates in sectors such as robotics, AI, automation, biomedical technology, cybersecurity, energy, logistics, and the blue economy. Among these are Leonardo, Esaote, ABB, ETT, BeDimensional, Hitachi Rail, Hi-Lex, Gruppo Danieli, Axpo Italia.NOVA CONNECT
Nova Connect, a partnership between the Municipality of Genova, the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation, and Feat. Ventures, aims to position Genova among Europe's leading innovation hubs. It facilitates collaboration among start-ups, investors, companies, institutions, and research organizations, fostering sectors like robotics, cybersecurity, energy, logistics, and blue economy.
https://novaconnect.ge/For 13 years, Talent Garden has been a hub for coworking and innovation in Genova. Initially based at the GREAT Campus in Erzelli, its new location at Baltimora Gardens fosters sustainable urban development, connecting the public and private sectors to enhance access to green and blue economy services and improve quality of life. The new Talent Garden Baltimora collaborates with Genova Industrie Navali, providing privileged access to the shipbuilding and maritime industry.
www.talentgarden.com/it/coworking/genova
Genova's commitment to revitalizing economic growth includes tangible support for businesses. Through an inclusive networking process among companies and under the aegis of the Municipality of Genova, the Genova Smart City Association supports the city in its transformation into a Smart City. This is achieved through a unified platform for discussion and project planning, creating links between development strategies and business opportunities, projects, and funding, while also fostering dialogue and collaboration with other Italian and international cities.
www.genovasmartcity.it/en/home-en/
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND CREATIVITY
The University of Genova, together with specialized training institutions in key sectors and international centres of excellence, provides a wide range of scientific, technical, and professional skills. Genoa and Liguria are hosting some of the largest robotics and AI research laboratories in Italy, with scientific programmes exploring the coexistence of intelligent machines alongside humans to improve the quality of life and work - the ‘Robot Valley’. Alongside traditional sectors such as the maritime economy, logistics, and high-tech, new professional opportunities are emerging in tourism, culture, and creativity.
L'UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI GENOVA (UNIGE)
The University of Genova plays a central role in research, innovation, and technology transfer. It transforms academic results into entrepreneurial opportunities and promotes youth employment through initiatives like Tech Check, connecting universities and businesses to address innovation needs. The Contamination LAB fosters collaborations between academia, public and private stakeholders, and businesses. Key focus areas include Agrifood, Blue Economy, Cultural Heritage, Security, AI, and Robotics.
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL – CNR
National public research institution established by the Ministry of Universities and Research. Since 1923, its aim is to carry out scientific research projects, promoting innovation, internationalisation and fostering the competitiveness of the industrial system. In Genoa, it has 9 institutes: Biophysics, Electronics and Information Engineering - Telecommunications, Energy, Computational Linguistics, Applied Mathematics and Informatics, Study of Macromolecules, Marine Sciences, Intelligent Systems for Automation, Educational Technologies.
http://servente.ge.cnr.it/inglese/index.php
ITALIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – IIT
A foundation established jointly by the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research and the Ministry of Economy and Finance to promote excellence in basic and applied research and to contribute to the economic development of Italy. The primary goals of the IIT are the creation and dissemination of scientific knowledge as well as the strengthening of Italy's technological competitiveness. To achieve these two goals, the IIT will cooperate with both academic institutions and private organizations, fostering through these partnerships scientific development, technological advances and training in high technology.
https://www.iit.it/en-US/The ROBOTICS AND AI FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT (RAISE) project – conceived and coordinated by UNIGE, CNR and IIT – aims to support the development of an innovation ecosystem based on the scientific and technological domains of artificial intelligence and robotics, focusing on the needs of a specific regional context, namely the Liguria Region. The project aims to evolve into a highly attractive ecosystem for companies, investors and researchers, both nationally and internationally. The proposed project is rooted in a regional territory characterized by scientific, technological and economic specificities. This project was selected together with 10 others by the MUR from the PNRR call - M4C2 Ecosystems of Innovation
https://www.raiseliguria.it/en/
CASA DELLE TECNOLOGIE EMERGENTI
Promoted by The Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, CTE Genova aims to increase new market opportunities for next generation start-ups and SMEs that can develop and provide innovative Made In Italy solutions for cultural and creative sector. Based in the former railway station of Genoa Prà, CTE – Genova offers a co-working space, training activities and funding opportunities to develop digital solutions heritage through the application of emerging technologies - IoT, AI, Augmented, Virtual and Immersive Reality, Blockchain – triggered by 5G infrastructures.
Set up by the Municipality of Genova with the scientific and technological partnership involved, CTE-Genoa is an incubator capable of fostering cultural acceleration and creation programmes, such as:
- immersive itineraries of cultural enjoyment for citizens and tourists.
- digitisation of museum archives;
- enhancing the conservation of cultural heritage;
- increasing the security of museums and logistics of works.
https://cte.comune.genova.it/en/
Designed by the Municipality of Genoa and co-organized with Genova Smart City, this competition aligns with the UN's Agenda 2030 to promote sustainable and inclusive behaviors. Participants include schools (GenZ) and enterprises, start-ups, and universities (Senior), presenting projects to improve the quality of life in Genoa.
https://www.investingenova.com/it/genova-global-goals-awardGENOVA LIGURIA FILM COMMISSION
The Foundation's primary goal is to attract productive investments to Liguria in the audiovisual, advertising, television, and film production sectors to boost employment and foster the creation and growth of local entrepreneurial ventures. Established by the Liguria Region, the Municipality of Genoa, and other regional stakeholders, Liguria is constantly "on set," spanning from west to east.
2022 Data:
- 333 productions assisted
- 1,382 production days
- 6,198 crew placements, including 2,000 local workers, for a total of 27,510 workdays
- Direct economic impact exceeding €9 million, with total production value estimated at €27 million
- 88 Ligurian municipalities involved in productions
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Port - logistic and shipping
The port
The port of Genoa today enlivens approximately 33% of the containers in transit in the national ports of call.
Genoa represents the southern terminal of the Rhine Alps corridor, a perfect point of transit for the good directed towards the main industrial and consumption area of Central Europe. Its port receives containers, various goods, petroleum products and passengers, offering a wide selection of services, from temperature-controlled storage to the handling of large loads, to containers maintenance.
In 2019 the port of Genoa has enlivened goods for a total of 2,6 million TEUs, with a progression of + 50% in the last 10 years. With its 27 km of docks, with more than 4,5 million passengers between cruises and ferries and 68 million tons of goods enlivened, it represents one of the first Mediterranean ports of final destination.
The port of Genoa represents in Italy the widest concentration of know-how and technical, professional, scientific, formative competencies, related to the marine-harbor economy. Due to this “cultural heritage” Universities, research institutions, schools, companies, and technical consultants are very active on this territory.
In order to encourage and facilitate even more the development of ideas, systems and professions connected to the sea economy, the Genova Blue District has been recently created: an incubator of innovation and companies and a start-ups accelerator, that focuses on interconnection and networking in the territory, with the intent of enhancing the talents and attracting new energies.
The important ongoing infrastructural works will increase the marine, railway, road and aerial accessibility. The most important of this work, the new breakwater, will guarantee access in safety to the great porta containers (until 400 meters of length and capacity of beyond 19 thousand Teus and to last generation cruise ships, allowing the city to keep its dominant position in the national harbor panorama and to consolidate its role on the Mediterranean and European scene. The close relationship between port and city creates a deep synergy focused on efficiency and on environmental respect
Blue Economy
The Blue Economy is a set of human activities that use sea, coasts and seabed as resources for industrial activities and the development of services, such as aquaculture, fisheries, marine biotechnology, maritime tourism, coastal tourism and cruises, maritime transports, ports and ship buildings, marine renewable energies, inserted in a sustainability perspective. In a country like Italy, bathed by the sea for about 80 of its borders, this sector represents an important part of its productive system.
With 156 companies operating in the blue economy field and 13 billion euro production, the Blue Economy plays a bigger role in the productive System of Liguria, since the number of companies in this sector is equal to 9.1% of the regional total.
Liguria is also the first Italian Region for the number of shipbuilding enterprises in comparison with the total of the manufacture (1,5% compared with the Italian average of 0,3) and Genoa represents its beating heart. The naval repair, refitting and shipbuilding industry represents excellence in the international panorama, supplying services of quality for luxury yachts and great ships.
There are also numerous events dedicated to the economy of the sea in Genoa. The Genoa Boat Show is an appointment that is not to be missed. It attracts every year hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors (almost 1000 exhibitors and 190.000 visitors in 2019) from Italy and abroad.
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Mobility and Transport System
Genova Towards a Sustainable and Connected Future
Genova is transforming its mobility system through innovative and sustainable projects, aimed at improving accessibility, reducing environmental impact, and making urban transport more efficient and interconnected. The city focuses on green and technological solutions, promoting integrated mobility between public transport, cycling infrastructure, and digital innovations.
Among the key initiatives, the sustainable mobility plan (PUMS) guides the development of the city's transport system, fostering public transport, soft mobility, and intermodality. The 4 Assi di Forza project, with 139 new electric buses and advanced infrastructure, will revolutionize public transport, while the cycling network continues to expand with dedicated paths, bike stations, and cycle parking, improving safety and accessibility for cyclists.
The Intelligent Urban Mobility project introduces cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and IoT, creating a smarter and more sustainable traffic management system, with the Mobility Lab at Porto Antico as a hub for innovation.
New transport infrastructures further enhance mobility: the cable car to the Forts park will connect the city center to historic sites with a fast and scenic route, while the metro expansion and Skymetro project will improve connections between the city center and surrounding valleys. Finally, the Moving Walkway and Erzelli Funicular will strengthen the link between the airport, railway, and technology hub, offering modern and efficient solutions for both residents and travelers.
With these initiatives, Genova is establishing itself as a model of innovative and sustainable mobility, ensuring a more livable, accessible, and future-oriented city.
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Blue Economy
The Blue Economy represents a fundamental pillar for Genoa's economic growth, integrating strategic sectors such as the maritime supply chain, hi-tech, business, and tourism. Thanks to the central role of the port, shipbuilding, and cruise tourism, the city stands out as a key hub for innovation and sustainable development linked to the maritime economy.
- Economic Impact – The direct value added from Liguria’s Blue Economy amounts to €5.7 billion, with an additional €15.7 billion in indirect value added, reaching a total of €21.4 billion for the entire supply chain. Liguria’s shipbuilding sector remains strategic for exports, contributing €2.873 billion.
- Employment and Businesses – Liguria ranks first in Italy both for the wealth generated (11.9%) and for the number of employees, which reached 96,824 in 2024, accounting for 14.4% of total employment. Liguria’s Blue Economy includes 16,853 businesses, of which 1,200 are youth-led, 3,981 are women-led, and 1,614 are foreign-owned. In the first half of 2024, 8,320 new hires were recorded in the region’s Blue Economy sector.
- Passenger Traffic – Passenger traffic at Genoa’s Maritime Station closed 2024 with 3,868,931 passengers. In 2025, ferry traffic is expected to increase by 2–3%, while cruise traffic is forecasted to reach 1.7 million cruise passengers, including 700,000 homeport passengers (embarking and disembarking in Genoa) and 1 million transit passengers, with a total of 333 ship calls.
- Major Cruise Operators – MSC Cruises is expected to handle around 1.2 million passengers in 2025, maintaining its position as the leading cruise operator in Genoa. Costa Cruises will make 52 calls, moving a total of 370,000 passengers.
PSA GENOVA PRA’
PSA Genova Pra’ plays a pivotal role in the Blue Economy, promoting sustainability in the maritime and port sectors. In 2024, PSA Italy announced a €1 billion investment plan to increase the capacity of the Genova Pra’ terminal from 2 to 3.2 million TEUs by optimizing existing spaces and reducing environmental impact. Technological innovations, such as automation, artificial intelligence for container flow management, and the use of electric vehicles, enhance efficiency and reduce emissions.
The 2023 Sustainability Report highlights ambitious decarbonization goals: a 50% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2030, 75% by 2040, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. PSA Genova continues to establish itself as a leader in combining economic development with environmental protection through investments in sustainable technologies and innovative solutions.
https://www.psagp.it/GENOVA BLUE DISTRICT
The Genova Blue District is an excellent hub for innovation, research, and dissemination dedicated to the blue economy, integrating the marine supply chain, hi-tech, business, and tourism. Since 2020, it has built a cooperative ecosystem through initiatives such as Innovation Village, Blue Street, Blue Gallery, and events at Salone Nautico, involving 62,200 participants, 350 organizations, 209 businesses, 50 associations, and 60 schools.
The project “From the Genova Blue District to the Technology Hub: the Blue Line,” supported by the Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, is structured around three main pillars: the development of the Village, the enhancement of the Technology Hub - Digital Culture Workshop, and the connection between the two sites through cross-cutting initiatives. Future plans include shared projects and integrated experiences, both physical and virtual, to expand and enhance the current offering, strengthening the physical and cultural link between the Genova Blue District and the Emerging Technologies Hub, creating a shared innovation network that connects the city center and its outskirts.
https://www.genovabluedistrict.com/EVENTS
One of the key drivers of the marine economy and Made in Italy is the nautical sector, where Genoa stands as an undisputed leader. The prestigious International Genoa Boat Show, hosted annually at the new Waterfront di Levante, is complemented by other major events like the Blue Economy Summit and Genoa Shipping Week, cementing Genoa's role as an international reference point for the business community, enthusiasts, and maritime industry experts.
MARITIME VENTURES
Promoted by CDP Venture Capital, Maritime Ventures is based at the Genoa Blue District of the Municipality of Genoa. The initiative aims to facilitate the digital transformation of Italian SMEs in the marine and port logistics sectors.
Established with support from the CDP Venture Capital ‘s Boost Innovation Fund and in collaboration with the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy and leading investors, the project boasts an initial budget of € 30 million and has set a goal of creating ten new businesses over the next three years, with aspirations to raise up to €70 million.
The long-term goal is to fill technological gaps and improve the competitiveness of Italian SMEs in the shipbuilding, yachting, cruise and port logistics sectors, fostering an innovative ecosystem capable of attracting new investments and generating growth opportunities for the local and national economy.
https://www.maritime-ventures.com/FONDAZIONE ACCADEMIA ITALIANA MARINA MERCANTILE (ITALIAN MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY)
Since 2005, the Italian Merchant Marine Academy has offered advanced training in the maritime field and was recognized in 2011 as the "Foundation for Higher Technical Institute for Sustainable Mobility – Maritime Transport and Fishing Sectors." Its high-level professional and technological training aligns with the needs of companies, particularly in maritime and logistics. Collaboration with the business world ensures high levels of employment, with post-diploma employment at over 95%..
In 2009, the Academy launched its International Section through IMSSEA – International Maritime, Safety, Security & Environment Academy, under a bilateral agreement between the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the IMO in London, which manages specific international development and training projects with over 100 nations.
Since 2025, the Academy's new headquarters will be located at Palazzo Tabarca, at Porto Antico area, providing an international hub of excellence dedicated to the training of the maritime professions.
www.company.accademiamarinamercantile.it
City Government is developing a system of tax reliefs for new businesses settling in Genoa and for those increasing production and mantaining occupational levels
Genoa is a dynamic and opened to the world city who, thanks to physical and digital infrastructures, is increasingly gaining recognition as a port and gateway to Europe for goods, people and data. Attracting investments is our primary objective to build opportunities for sustainable economic and industrial development for companies, citizens and the entire territory
