IGNAZIO MESSINA has moved its base of operations from La Spezia to Genoa Nino Ronco Terminal in Italy which is now the headquarters of its entire service.
Genoa-based m.d. of international commercial relations, Dr Giampaolo Cerruti, told FTW in Johannesburg last week that the move would significantly enhance operations.
Thanks to privatisation, the port of Genoa is regaining its historically dominant position in the league of Italy's top container ports.
Its unbeatable geographic position, high-tech facilities, and freedom to directly manage our operations are behind our decision to relocate, he said.
When the line moved from Genoa to La Spezia in 1977 the main reason was lack of space. Twenty years later, we are returning for the same reason. The line has been allocated 168 000 square metres at Genoa, of which 18 000 is shedded. This is more than double its present capacity. To page 16 From page 1 The current service pattern on the SA route will continue unchanged for the time being with four 1500 teu ro-ro vessels calling every 14 days at Durban and Cape Town from Med ports through Jeddah, Mombasa and Dar Es Salaam returning to Genoa, Naples and Marseilles through Beira, Dar Es Salaam monthly and fortnightly via Mombasa and Jeddah.
Through the new Genoa hub and that of Jeddah, cargo will continue to be relayed to our network of services stretching from the eastern and western Mediterranean through the Red Sea, the Arabian Gulf, the Indian sub-continent, North and West Africa, covering 47 ports in 31 countries, he said.
