Port: The 4 points of New President di Majo's Program

Yesterday morning - 01/18/2017 - took place at the Committee Room of Civitavecchia's Port System Authority (Port System Authority of the Center-North Thyrrenian Sea) the press conference of the new President Francesco Maria Di Majo intended to illustrate news, projects for the development of the harbor and study initiatives.

After a brief introduction by Dr. Massimiliano Grasso, responsible for External Relations, Press and Communication Office, the President took the floor to explain the "government" program he has in mind for the regeneration and development of the Authority of the Port System: four planning points he includes in his mandate, let's see them in detail.

1. CRUISES: FROM THE PORT TO THE CITY AND BEYOND

I would like to make a short introduction: there have been 6 weeks of intensive work I have had over 60 meetings and last week I was in Brussels. Operationally we are still braked until the appointment of the Management Committee is announced, an appointment that blocks not only us but also all the newly created Port System Authorities.

The Port of Civitavecchia is the first in Italy and the second in Europe in number of cruise travellers. I must give priority and continuity to this important sector source of prosperity for the port, for the tourist operators and for the city of Civitavecchia. My goal is to maintain and consolidate this sector but also to improve its current weaknesses, like the service from the ship to the city and the neighboring areas. In this sense I have already had the opportunity to speak to the main actors of the port: Rct and Port Mobility.

I am convinced that there is a communication problem. The tourist must not consider Civitavecchia only as a place of transit. The tourist offer should be improved and I am thinking about places of the harbor where this aspect can be developed. When visitors enter the port, they must know clearly that in addition to Rome there are also other tourist destinations equally beautiful and worthy of attention. I am thinking of the historical part of the port, of Civitavecchia but also of Tolfa, Allumiere, Tarquinia.

2. REGENERATION OF THE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS

We are already working to create new lines to bring in Civitavecchia still more goods. We recently signed a trade agreement for the import of 10,000 TU of bananas per week from Ecuador.

I initiated contacts with the CAR and Coldiretti. I intend to start new lines so that the port can become a point of departure for the products of the fruit and vegetable sector of Lazio: from Civitavecchia to the rest of the Mediterranean.

President of the Port System Authority Francesco Maria di Majo

But I would like that during my mandate Civitavecchia became also an port of export in order to increase the opportunities for the development of the port and its associated industries. I think mainly of the fruit and vegetables sector of Lazio. How is it possible that companies from Lazio decide to export their goods from a different port than Civitavecchia? In this sense I have already been in contact both with the CAR (Rome's Food and Agriculture Center) and Coldiretti and soon I will meet other entities of the sector. I intend to start new lines so that the port can become a point of departure for fruits and vegetables of Lazio: from Civitavecchia to the rest of the Mediterranean.

3. CONSTRUCTION/ NAVAL ASPECT

I made contact with the liquidator of Privilege in order to study its possible reuse. It is a heritage of the port and we must try to enhance its value. We must also act in a series of infrastructural and strategic works initiated by the previous Presidency. Finally there is a second strategic batch which will divide the port in two souls: tourist and industrial.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT

I am particularly concerned with the environment. I would like the port to become a place where a modern concept of renewable energies can be developed. In this sense I am working with Enel Green Power to investigate feasibility projects to be applied at the port of Civitavecchia.

Here ends the press conference. Challenged by the questions of journalists, the President addressed other very interesting issues including the requalification of the "bankruptcy project" of the rear port/interport and the request to the European Union to become a "Core"port that would make it possible to obtain loans more easily.

"I am optimistic, I see an enormous potential. The Port of Civitavecchia has a great advantage compared to many other Italian ports: there is so much space yet to be exploited. It is in the center of Italy, is the port of entry for Rome."

There is a lot of work to do and the are many obstacles, we would like to wish good luck for a good job to the new President of the Port System Authority of the Central-North Thyrrenian Sea.