Structural factors for a third-generation port: Current state, limits and weaknesses of Gioia Tauro, Italy, in the regional transport plan

Abstract

Third-generation ports emerged in the 1980s, principally due to world-wide large-scale containerisation combined with the growing requirements of the international trade. The ports have been turning into integrated transport centres and logistic platforms for international trade; activities and services are specialised and integrated. The aim of this paper is to present the methodology to identify structural factors for the realisation of a Gioia Tauro third-generation port, starting from the analysis and the goals of Calabria Regional Transport Plan (RTP). The current state, limits and weakness of Gioia Tauro’s port are highlighted. The Calabria’s RTP on the one hand becomes the connection tool between institutional policies of various territorial levels, on the other it becomes an important element for the development of specific actions. Further work analyses the action and the measures that operate to reduce the limits and the weakness exalting the potentiality.