TRIESTE — The Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region is asking Innoway to provide details on investments, orders, and the plan for the return of workers to the Bagnoli della Rosandra site (Trieste) ahead of the ministerial meeting on August 5.
These are the main issues that emerged from the meeting held today at the regional government headquarters in Trieste, attended by Regional Councilors Alessia Rosolen and Sergio Emidio Bini, representatives from Innoway and MSC, labor unions, and Confindustria. The meeting served to prepare for the discussion convened by the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy, which is considered crucial for assessing the progress of the reindustrialization project for the former Wärtsilä site.
During the ministerial roundtable, the company will be required to outline the planned investments at the site, the timeline for industrial orders, the implementation phases for the new operations, and the plan for the return of personnel. It will also present measures to strengthen the production chain and the industrial objectives for the next twelve months.
For the Region, the main issue remains employment. “It is time to receive guarantees that the industrial and investment plan for the next 12 months will ensure full employment for workers by July 31, 2027. We need clearly defined timelines and a roadmap agreed upon with institutions, labor unions, and employers’ associations,” stated Alessia Rosolen, Regional Councilor for Labor.
Innoway, established through an agreement between the MSC shipping group and the Austrian company Innofreight to manufacture innovative rail cars for freight transport, has committed to re-hiring all former Wärtsilä employees, now numbering just under 250 following some voluntary departures and retirements. Currently , about 100 workers are already on the job, while about 30 are taking advanced welding courses to acquire the skills required for the new production line. Meanwhile, for staff who have not yet returned to work, the extraordinary layoff benefit has been extended for another twelve months—a measure agreed upon with the Ministry to support the retraining process.
According to regional councilors, the program agreement for the reindustrialization of the Bagnoli della Rosandra site is proceeding according to schedule, and the goal remains to complete the project by July 31, 2027, creating a modern and fully operational facility. Work is also continuing to accelerate the construction of the rail spur serving the plant.
Finally, the company confirmed its intention to invest in expanding production, focusing on bringing the manufacturing of railcar components in-house, on the development of maintenance activities, and on strengthening the local supply chain—elements considered strategic for consolidating the new industrial hub and creating new development opportunities for the region.
The discussion also revealed that Innoway has completed certification of the new 30- and 40-foot railcar models and has begun the audit for the 45-foot model. Total production has reached 148 railcars, and according to the company’s projections, this should allow the workforce to grow to 145 employees by the end of September. The company also reiterated that the planned investments, including those related to the third span, will be confirmed and that further details will be presented at the ministerial meeting on August 5.
On the labor union front, while acknowledging the increase in production as a positive sign, concerns were raised about the accumulated delays in the project’s implementation and the potential repercussions for workers still on temporary layoff. The labor unions also called for greater transparency regarding data on the staff reintegration process and reiterated that the increase in operations must translate into stable employment, actual investments, and full compliance with the deadlines set out in the reindustrialization plan.
