TRIESTE – The assembly of the Association of Freight Forwarders and Terminal Operators of Friuli Venezia Giulia (freight forwarders, terminal operators and multimodal operators) has renewed its governing bodies for the next three years.

Stefano Visintin (RO.RO.Tranship) has been reconfirmed as president, with Paolo Nassimbeni (Samer & Co.Shipping) as vice president, alongside Marco Gallegati (Trimar).

The main topics the Association will address in the coming months have been outlined, starting with strategies to bring the regional logistics platform back to the centre of the main traffic routes.
The IMEC project and, more generally, the Indo-Mediterranean Corridor are considered a major opportunity, capable of strengthening the Suez Canal route, which is gradually returning to normal activity. “The so-called central corridor, which connects China to Europe via the Caucasus and Turkey, also through Trieste and the regional freight villages, is gaining increasing relevance due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war,” the Association explains.

«But we are not alone – Visintin said – we have many strong and well-structured competitors in neighbouring countries, often with port-management models different from ours, which at the moment may appear more efficient and effective. To develop our port system, we must keep the private cluster and the Institutions united, focusing on our specific strengths. Among these are certainly our rail connectivity with the Central-Eastern European market and the progressive integration between the regional freight villages and ports. We must continue to explore, develop and promote the resource of the international free port, which is not only an extraordinary customs regime but also allows the free movement of transport vehicles of any nationality and ensures proper organisational management.»

Some concerns were expressed regarding the port-law reform, which could divert resources from the local Port System Authority, transferring part of the port taxes to a national body, even though under the Free Port regime these must be used to provide real services to goods.

The partially renewed board elected representatives of the following companies: BFB Casa di Spedizioni, De Palo, Gianesini Erminio, Santandrea Logistica, Francesco Parisi Casa di Spedizioni, Interporto di Trieste, Trieste Marine Terminal.
«Next year the Association will celebrate its 120th anniversary – Visintin added – and we would like to mark this milestone together with our national and international clients, whose markets must be constantly served by promoting our port and hinterland system.»