A few weeks ago, the docks of the port of Trieste, in northeastern Italy, were not as busy as they are now. Thanks to its strategic position, it is the leading port in Italy with cargo traffic of around 62 million tonnes per year.
But in recent days, global maritime trade has been disrupted following attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. A situation that affects and reduces traffic in ports around the world, particularly in Europe.
The port of Trieste relies on its rail network, which is one of the best in Europe.
“In terms of ship filling, there is no perceptible difference at the moment. It is clear that we had a delay of two weeks because the ships which had to pass through the Suez Canal had to go around Africa. But now they will arrive at the same frequency as before. It is now up to the market, the customer, to decide. For example, we have daily train connections with Budapest. Will foreign customers continue to work with us? Or will they choose another port, like Hamburg?“, explained Zeno D’Agostino, president of the Port of Trieste.
What the authorities fear here is that the port will be cut off from global maritime trade.
“This is a port which, in recent years, has gained ground compared to the ports of Northern Europe, with which we compete. We are opposite the Suez Canal. Operators in the sector have therefore understood that from here the distance between Europe and Asia is much shorter and vice versa“, said Zeno D’Agostino.
It was the national association of maritime companies which was the first to sound the alarm.
“I think the government and institutions are now aware of the seriousness of the situation. This is a major security issue that concerns the Italian state as a whole. Ports indeed represent our nation’s most strategic asset.“, declared Gaudenzio Parenti, Director General of ANCIP.
The United States and the United Kingdom have carried out dozens of airstrikes in Yemen against Houthi forces, in retaliation for the attack on ships in the Red Sea. But analysts say the Iran-backed group is unlikely to back down and if the attacks continue, it could lead to regional escalation and more permanent disruptions to global trade.
