Promotion Centre - Italy

History

The promotion centre is the link of the National Association for the Promotion of Short Sea (which in italian it is also called Trasporto Marittimo a Corto Raggio) that was established on 19^th December 2000.

The office has officially been functioning and active since 1^st March 2001, and was officially launched at the convention “From Theory to Practise: Short Sea Shipping becoming a reality” (“Dalla teoria alla pratica: lo Short Sea Shipping diventa realta”), in Naples on June 29^th 2001.

The conference was attended by Mr Wolfgang Elsner, Head of the Short Sea Shipping Unit for the European Union, and by speakers that use maritime transport on a regular basis to their complete satisfaction, and understand the need for the promotion of Short Sea Shipping (SSS).

The establishment of the Italian centre, whose constitution was requested, on more than one occasion, by the EC, was strongly demanded by the ship owners (Confitarma), who promoted the initiative, gaining consent from the other associations of the maritime sector (Assoporti, Fedarlinea, and Federagenti).The objective of developing SSS as a solution to current and future road congestion in Europe, has convinced other operators of the transport sector, above all the haulage companies (Confartigianato Transporti, and other category associations are about to join also), and associations such as Assologistica, Cetena, Concommercio, Federazione Del Mare, Fedespedi, Federtrasporto, and Uniontrasporti.

The office has benefited from the interest of the Head of State, President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, who has spoken on the subject of the so-called ‘Motorways of the Sea’ on more than one occasion.

Strengths of the Centre (in brief)

It is the expression of the ‘maritime industry’ but also unites associations from other modes of transport, especially the road trasport companies.

It is neutral with respect to the single association;

The office has national recognition because it is accredited by the office of the Focal Point, that is, the person of reference at the Italian Public Administration, for the contacts with the EC;

The office has European recognition because it is accredited by the EC, and is part of a network of national centres present across Europe.

What is the Aim?

To rectify the incorrectly perceived image of the maritime transport industry

To supply practical information, which is easy and clear, to understand regarding the opportunities present in the maritime sector;

To simplify access to the service of the sea, and retrieval of information;

To facilitate the passage of cargo traffic flows from roads (because of congestion), to the combined road–sea, sea–rail, and to the multi-modal road-sea-rail;

To improve mobility through the use of SSS on a larger scale, as it is the only method of transport able to increase the viability of cargo and passengers, as well as our quality of life and that of the eco-system in which we live.