The progress in the digitalization of port area management, a cornerstone for improving
operational capacity and the sustainability of last-mile infrastructure, was the focus of
the final event of the eBRIDGE project (Emergency and BRoad Information
Development for the ports of Genoa), held on December 6, 2024 at the Sala del
Capitano in Palazzo San Giorgio, headquarters of the Western Ligurian Sea Port
Authority.
Coordinated by MIT and promoted by AdSP, Digitalog, CIRCLE Spa, HUB Telematica, and
Connect, with the participation of RAM Spa, terminal operators, inland terminals, MTOs,
and other port system stakeholders such as RFI, the eBRIDGE project has a total value
of approximately 12 million euros, 50% of which is funded through Connecting Europe
Facility (CEF) funds. The primary goal is to enhance both the physical and digital lastmile infrastructure accessing the ports of Genoa and Savona-Vado by fostering
intermodality and digitalization—key components in creating an integrated, digital, and
sustainable ecosystem that interacts with inland areas and other strategic nodes of the
North Sea – Rhine – Mediterranean European Corridor. This corridor positions the Ports
of Genoa as the natural gateway for Europe to maritime traffic traversing the
Mediterranean, including both long-haul and Short Sea Shipping routes.
The eBRIDGE project’s architecture emphasizes strong integration among interventions
to be developed by the various public and private components of the port system,
focusing on road and rail cycles.
During the event, experts, public authorities, and industry stakeholders presented the
project’s outcomes, highlighting interoperability models and the benefits achieved
through digital tools for managing last-mile road and rail logistics in ports.
Key topics included progress in advanced digitalization for port area management, a
fundamental pillar for enhancing operational capacity and infrastructure sustainability.
Digital modules and advanced tools for last-mile management in ports were presented,
promising to strengthen intermodality and streamline operations connecting with land
networks. Additionally, an advanced digital gateway system for ports was showcased,
designed to improve information flow and optimize cargo entry and exit procedures.
A focus was placed on the benefits generated by digitalization for the port logistics
system, analyzing positive impacts on efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness.
Other significant themes included European digitalization initiatives, the new Italian
National Logistics Platform, and the FVS ELODIE project, launched in 2022 to digitize
processes and data exchange in Italian inland terminals. The event also addressed cloud
infrastructure and data security within the framework of the National Strategic Pole
(PSN), emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity and NIS2 compliance.
The final event of the eBRIDGE project was organized in collaboration with Circle
Group, specializing in the analysis and development of innovative products for
digitalization in the port and intermodal logistics sectors and providing international
consultancy on Green Deal and energy transition topics.
