Port of Ravenna: traffic up 5.3 per cent in the first five months of ’26, up 10.6 per cent in June

TRIESTE – In the first five months of 2026, the port of Ravenna handled 11.72 million tonnes of cargo, representing a 5.3 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2025. This positive trend strengthened further in June, which saw a 10.6 per cent increase.

Between January and May, the volume of cargo handled rose by around 590,000 tonnes, whilst the number of vessel calls fell by 2.4 per cent – a figure that highlights greater operational efficiency thanks to the use of larger-capacity vessels.

Growth was driven primarily by the energy sector. Petroleum products rose by 43.4 per cent, from 1.25 to 1.79 million tonnes, with the additional 543,000 tonnes accounting for the lion’s share of the port’s overall increase.

The port’s industrial focus also remains strong. Solid bulk cargo exceeded 4.9 million tonnes (+1.5%), whilst metallurgical products reached 2.5 million tonnes (+0.4%). Coils, a strategic commodity for Ravenna’s steel industry, also saw a 5.2% increase. Raw materials destined for the Emilia-Romagna ceramics district remained broadly stable at around 1.69 million tonnes.

The trend in container traffic was more modest. TEUs rose from 92,941 to 94,905 (+2.1 per cent), whilst containerised cargo increased by 1.7 per cent, confirming the port’s specialisation in bulk and industrial goods.

Ro-Ro traffic, on the other hand, continued to perform well, with goods on trailers up by 5.4 per cent and trailers up by 3.3 per cent. The automotive sector recorded a particularly significant result, with the number of vehicles handled rising from 4,610 to 13,244 units (+187 per cent), thanks to the development of new dedicated routes.

Passenger traffic was also very positive. Cruise ships saw passenger numbers rise from around 31,000 to almost 56,000 (+81%), driven mainly by growth in homeport activity, which boosts the economic benefits for the local area. Sectors showing a decline include liquid chemicals (-24.1 per cent), liquid foodstuffs (-13.3 per cent), vegetable oils (-15.5 per cent) and oilseeds (-11.5 per cent).