Swiss Ambassador to Italy, Roberto Balzaretti, visited Livorno today. He met Port NetworkAuthority (PNA) President, Davide Gariglio, and Livorno Harbour Master Admiral Giovanni Canu, at the Old Fortress.
The opportunity arose thanks to the ‘In Cammino con la Svizzera’ (Walking with Switzerland) project which sees the Swiss diplomat visiting the twenty Italian regions over two years, with a focus on innovation, sustainability and relations with Europe.
As part of the second phase of the initiative, in Tuscany from 25th to 28th February, Ambassador Balzaretti expressly chose to give strategic priority to Livorno. The Swiss have had historical ties with the city since 1631, when, thanks to special authorisation from the Grand Duke, around fifty people from Ticino founded their own docker community in the port, laying the foundations for a Swiss community that has kept its own identity through the Swiss Mutual Aid Society.
The Fortress’ Ferretti Conference Hall provided the backdrop for the long-standing friendship that binds the two countries. In front of a series of panels provided by the State Archives, depicting scenes of working life in the port featuring Ticino dockers, the diplomat, President Gariglio, and Admiral Canu discussed the future of Euro-Mediterranean logistics in a scenario that is still impacted by geopolitical tensions, technological transformations, and commercial and military conflicts.
The underlying message is that the network of Italian ports and freight villages can offer Switzerland a viable alternative to Northern European ports. However, in order to attract additional traffic, clear rules are needed for state concessions, investment in upgrading infrastructure and digitalization, research and training, with a keen eye on environmental sustainability.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the Port Network Authority President to take stock of the numerous ongoing projects to give the port of Livorno a new competitive edge. The discussion focused on Darsena Europa, the project with which the port of Livorno aims to acquire a distinctive strategic position in order to face the challenges of the global market. Likewise, the current port, widening the harbour access channel, digitalization to ensure rapid delivery of goods to the their catchment areas were also part of the meeting.
“Today’s initiative,’ said Mr. Gariglio, “not only celebrates our historic bond that has survived the passage of time, we also intend to look to the future and focus on the prospects for economic development offered by the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel, which could allow Livorno a share of the traffic flows to Switzerland and southern Germany. This is why it becomes even more strategic for Italy to invest in increasing rail competitiveness and greater integration with the TEN-T corridors. Clearly, completing Darsena Europa is essential for accommodating the latest generation of containerships and also acquiring a share of traffic from the Far East.”
“We are honoured by the Swiss Ambassador’s official visit to seal the bond of friendship – still very much alive – between the Swiss community and the city of Livorno, particularly its port, which is still today, as in the past, the beating heart of its economy,” said Admiral Canu, who added: “The historical sequence of events we have had the pleasure of remembering today is the most authentic testimony to how port work now, as in the past, is synonymous not only with profitability, but also with tradition and inclusion. On the basis of these values and with a view to ensuring the development of the port under the aegis of safety and innovation, we stand alongside the Port Network Authority and everyone who contributes to consolidating Livorno port’s strategic importance on the international scene.”
For Ambassador Balzaretti, today’s visit demonstrates the importance of cultivating ties between Livorno and Switzerland. “This city, with its port, is not only a historical legacy, but also a strategic gateway to the future,” he said. “Nowadays,’ he pointed out, “innovation offers tools to expand these bonds, transforming them into new opportunities for economic development that can benefit both countries. Switzerland, in the heart of Europe, has a constant interest in reinforcing new types of connection, exchange and collaboration: Livorno has the potential to be one of these vital arteries.”
Translation by Giles Foster
