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The Port Sector in Italy: Its Keystones for Energy-Efficient Growth

Author

Listed:
  • Marialisa Nigro

    (Department of Civil, Computer and Aeronautical Engineering, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy)

  • Massimo De Domenico

    (Atena—Italian Association of Naval Engineering, 00128 Rome, Italy)

  • Tiziana Murgia

    (Assoporti—Italian Port Association, 00153 Rome, Italy)

  • Arianna Stimilli

    (ANAS S.p.A., Road National Agency, Operative Direction, 00185 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Italy has been defined as the “logistics platform” of the Mediterranean Sea. The Italian port system, with 11.6 million TEUs handled and 61.4 million passengers in 2022 (Assoporti data January–December 2022), is the key to fulfilling this title through adequate levels of reliability, safety, and sustainability. This contribution addresses port logistics and shipping, focusing on primary issues related to the energy sector with a specific focus on what can be observed in the Italian context. Specifically, the decarbonization of the maritime sector and related infrastructural problems (e.g., cold ironing or alternative fuels, where the uncertainty about resource availability and related costs do not allow for easy strategic planning by both the ship owner and the port authority), as well as policies such as the Emission Trading System (ETS), will be analyzed. All these issues, hereafter addressed with a systematic critical review of the existing literature and other relevant sources, could represent the driving force of the growth of the national port sector toward its competitiveness at a global scale. The review was performed through a wide search and analysis of studies published in well-known online research databases (Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect), sector studies, or specialized technical magazines. The review focuses on the results of each analyzed contribution rather than on the analysis method adopted with the final aim to identify useful hints and innovative ideas for further studies on the topic.

Suggested Citation

  • Marialisa Nigro & Massimo De Domenico & Tiziana Murgia & Arianna Stimilli, 2024. "The Port Sector in Italy: Its Keystones for Energy-Efficient Growth," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-30, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:7:p:1788-:d:1372093
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Haibin Wang & Myo Zin Aung & Xue Xu & Evangelos Boulougouris, 2023. "Life Cycle Analysis of Hydrogen Powered Marine Vessels—Case Ship Comparison Study with Conventional Power System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-14, August.
    2. Son-Tung Le & Trung-Hieu Nguyen, 2023. "The Development of Green Ports in Emerging Nations: A Case Study of Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-23, September.
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    5. Iris, Çağatay & Lam, Jasmine Siu Lee, 2019. "A review of energy efficiency in ports: Operational strategies, technologies and energy management systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 170-182.
    6. Theo Notteboom & Hercules Haralambides, 2023. "Seaports as green hydrogen hubs: advances, opportunities and challenges in Europe," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 25(1), pages 1-27, March.
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    1. Javier Vaca-Cabrero & Nicoletta González-Cancelas & Alberto Camarero-Orive & María Magdalena Esteban-Infantes Corral & Stefano Ricci, 2024. "Economic Impact of the Application of the ETS to European Ports: Analysis of Different Scenarios," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-15, November.

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