Gallipoli Approves Protocol to Join Taranto Port Authority
Cubierto por 3 fuentesPublicado
- ports europeGallipoli moves to join Taranto port authority to unlock €70 million tourist port funding
- Splash CruiseItaly puts Gallipoli under Taranto port authority in cruise expansion push
- ports europeGallipoli joins Taranto port authority
- jornal portuarioPuerto de Gallipoli se une a Autoridad de la Red Portuaria del Mar Jónico
The administration of the city of Gallipoli approved a draft protocol with the Ionian Sea Port System Authority, headquartered in Taranto, under which the Port of Gallipoli would come under its jurisdiction. Italy's Council of Ministers gave the green light to the measure, which the Ministry of Infrastructure had set as a condition for releasing 70 million euros earmarked for a new tourist port in the city.
Territorial expansion
With this decision, the Taranto Port Authority extends its territorial scope beyond its own port to incorporate Gallipoli, in the Salento area of Puglia. Among the areas targeted for development under this new framework are cruise shipping and recreational boating. Gallipoli already receives cruise calls, including luxury vessels, and the MedCruise association confirmed the change in jurisdiction.
Port diversification
Giovanni Gugliotti, President of the Taranto Port Authority, stated that the expansion of jurisdiction is part of a broader effort to diversify port activities amid the decline of the region's steel industry. The authority is preparing a list of investment priorities to present to the Italian government and is seeking to involve private investors in commercially viable projects, although no contract, construction budget, or concrete investment commitment has yet been announced. Projections were also mentioned pointing to a possible doubling of passenger traffic in Taranto by 2027, without specifying baseline figures.
Municipal support
Gallipoli's mayor, Flavio Fasano, backed the integration, noting that it is the condition for securing the 70 million euros sought for the tourist port, and highlighted opportunities to develop cruise infrastructure, recreational boating and fishing as part of a broader port redevelopment strategy. The agreement also provides for Gallipoli to have representation within the management structure of the expanded authority.
