Ports: Marghera, First Call at General Sistem Terminal

The cement terminal under concession to General Sistem officially began operations today with the arrival of the Nordanvik.

The company had submitted an application to the Port Authority for the release of a state concession and related authorization as a port operator from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, covering state-owned assets (the water surface and the adjacent strip of waterfront land) in order to build and use a temporary berth for cement carriers, as well as to design and construct the definitive infrastructure for the quay facing General Sistem’s property.

The infrastructure, developed through a €20 million investment by the concessionaire, is expected to handle around 50 ship calls per year, accommodating cement carriers up to 150 meters in length, and to move a total of between 250,000 and 300,000 tons of material annually.

Located in the South Industrial Canal of Porto Marghera, in an area of approximately 25,000 square meters known as Ex Abibes, the terminal is equipped with four cement storage silos, each with a capacity of about 5,000 tons, a pneumatic transport line carrying cement from the quay to the silos, and advanced unloading systems, including a bagging plant. The terminal currently employs 15 people.

General Sistem operates as a cement distributor and also manages a large fleet of road transport vehicles and batching plants located in the provinces of Padua, Verona, Rovigo, and Mantua.

“At first, it seemed like madness to everyone,” General Sistem stated. “They kept telling us it was an impossible project to complete in such a short time. But we did not lose heart and instead believed even more in the strength of our group, which, in just two years and with the help of many external technicians, achieved this small but great dream. In the summer of 2021, the Port Authority paid close attention to our needs, giving new momentum to the process — and this was possible only thanks to the determination and enthusiasm of Fulvio Lino Di Blasio and his team.”

Fulvio Lino Di Blasio, President of the North Adriatic Sea Port Authority, stated:
“The lagoon port system continues to attract investments from companies that appreciate its infrastructural features, multipurpose vocation, and efficient connections. These elements make the ports of Venice and Chioggia fundamental hubs in European and Mediterranean logistics chains. Thanks to General Sistem’s investment, Venice is now home to one of the largest cement terminals in Europe — an infrastructure that will increase cargo handling in our ports, creating employment and value for the entire area. This achievement drives us to continue along the path of greater competitiveness, through continuous improvement of nautical accessibility and the strengthening of services dedicated to companies.”