Genoa is actively working to develop new air cargo connections with the Far East, particularly with Hong Kong and China. This initiative has been facilitated by a mission led by a Spediporto delegation, which recently visited various business and institutional entities in Asia. During a meeting held at the headquarters of the shipping association, the progress of these newly established contacts was discussed.
At the event, Genoa's Deputy Mayor, Pietro Piciocchi, stated, "The Genoa airport has great potential for both passenger and cargo traffic. We are working together to capitalize on these opportunities, and the mission to the Far East was a success in this direction." Port Councilor Francesco Maresca added, "The municipality must adopt a strategic and innovative vision, including the Simplified Logistics Zones, while complying with regulations."
Representatives from Spediporto emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration. General Director Giampaolo Botta highlighted the need for a shared vision among administrations and entrepreneurs, stating that "a unified proactive vision, supported by infrastructural investments and entrepreneurial initiatives, is essential to attract international investors." President Andrea Giachero stressed the importance of turning the mission's outcomes into reality, with support from Deloitte and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.
The goal is to make Genoa, with its strategic location near the port and airport, a key hub for air cargo, attracting interest from major international groups, including those in e-commerce. Riccardo Fuochi, President of the International Propeller Club of Milan, remarked, "The proximity between the port and airport is crucial for cargo flow, making Genoa an ideal reference point for small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as for managing land-sea traffic flows that are currently not optimally handled in Italy."
An important opportunity for developing cargo at Genoa's airport is the entry of the MSC Group into the airport management company, acquiring 15% from Aeroporti di Roma. Spediporto is also active in air cargo transport with the creation of Goas, a consortium of twenty-one Genoese freight forwarders that has been managing incoming and outgoing cargo traffic at the airport since July 2023.