Key Sectors

Key sectors

  • Port
    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.
  • Transport
    Mobility and Transport System

    For Genoa, an efficient mobility system is a priority, due to its particular conformation that makes it a polycentric city.; to obtain that in a sustainable way is a must.

    Therefore the city is investing a lot in order to realize a sustainable mobility plan able to connect the most important infrastructures as the port, the airport, the centre and the different valleys, thanks to an emission-free electric transportation system. This system will be integrated with a network of cycle-path ant with the existing system of lifts and funiculars, a people mover on the rail in design, to connect the airport with the Erzelli scientific-park and with a sky tram that will easily connect the Val Bisagno valley with the centre.

    The city Centre, more precisely the cruise Terminal, will soon be closer to the green hills that surround it, where the Forts park extends: a modern cableway will offer to tourists and citizens the opportunity to reach nature in few minutes.

    Easy, sustainable, capillary connections will facilitate the citizens’ change of habits that, thanks to a series of new interchange parking, will be able to more easily give up the car, eliminating, traffic, pollution and stress.
  • High Technology
    High Technology

    Genoa’s high-tech industry counts several multinationals in the field of energy, automation, transports and infrastructures with research and development laboratories and a net of companies that employs over 15.000 workers, with a significant presence in the fields of electronics, robotics and biotechnology: Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Leonardo, Esaote, ABB, EET, Bdimensional, Hitachi Rail, Hi-Lex, Danieli Group, Axpo Italy, just to name a few. There are also numerous institutes of the CNR - National Research Council – for Biophysics, Information Technologies, Intelligent Systems for Automation, Marine Sciences and Macromolecules, Information Engineering and Telecommunications.

    The University of Genoa (UNIGE) is national excellence and an important interdisciplinary research centre, which operate in close synergy with some of the most innovative enterprises in the city. In the Ligurian capital there are in fact about 2.650 researchers (1.900 IIT; 350 CNR, 400 UNIGE).

    The panorama of youth innovative enterprises is also particularly lively and is growing rapidly: 179 start-ups registered, with an increase of 18,54% in the first half 2021

    According to the EY Digital Infrastructure Index 2020, Genoa is the first Italian city for digital infrastructure, a position that will be strengthened by the imminent arrival of two large-scale submarine cables, BlueMed and Equinix, that will transform the Ligurian Capital into the new digital European and Mediterranean gateway and into a strategic hub in the global map of submarine cables. This will provide local businesses with a competitive advantage, leading to the creation of skilled jobs and will contribute to the creation of an inclusive digital society.

    During the next years Genoa will continue to strengthen its technological sector, with a particular focus on biomedical, mechanical and robotic research:

    • Erzelli science and technology park: developed by GHT Spa, will further consolidate its commitment to innovation, not only as a hub of exchange among companies, academics and research centres but also as an urban eco-sustainable site, designed with cutting-edge technology. In the next years, besides the already existing organizations (such as Siemens, Esaote, Ericsson, IIT, Liguria Digital and Talent Garden), the Polytechnic School of Genoa’s University and a private hospital that aims to become a new point of reference for health and research at a national level will join the park.
    • RoboIT, the first national centre for robotic technology transfer, will rise near the new S. Giorgio Bridge. Here  University, research centres, venture capital funds and companies will cooperate to support the birth of new national robotics experts and developing innovative robotic start-ups, with positive repercussions estimated at over 100 million euros in 4 years, for the creation and development of 50 new companies
  • 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