Port Of Genoa Research Articles

Investigation of Coastal Winds and Turbulence Characteristics Using Doppler Lidar

AbstractSea ports play a major role in the transport of goods worldwide, and knowledge of wind characteristics in these areas is vital to maintaining safety. However, coastal wind flow can be highly complex and turbulent, necessitating additional analysis. A Doppler lidar providing continuous wind profiles is deployed in the Port of Genoa, Italy, to characterize the mean wind velocity and turbulence properties within the coastal surface layer (40–250 m above ground level). Weather conditions, reanalysis data, and transient wind profiles are combined to analyze wind field characteristics on a day which experienced a thunderstorm. We also utilize a method to identify and categorize sources of turbulence through analysis of lidar derived quantities such as wind shear, turbulent kinetic energy, and vertical skewness. Seasonal variations in the wind properties are investigated by selecting data from June (summer) and December (winter). Differences are found in dominant wind direction and the associated frequency of convective mixing, with onshore winds most common in summer and offshore winds in winter. The measured lidar velocity is also compared against Monin–Obukhov similarity theory predictions, showing satisfactory agreement at low heights but struggling to reproduce observations of the stable atmospheric conditions present during winter.

Ports Go Green: A Cost-energy Analysis Applied to a Case Study on Evaluating the Electrification of Yard Tractors

Introduction Electrification of handling equipment and vehicles used in seaports is becoming increasingly common. The electrification of port equipment is potentially beneficial in terms of local environmental impact and operating costs. However, initial investments are very high. Objective The goal of this paper is to provide a tool for decision-makers to assess the technological and financial feasibility of electrifying yard tractors in a container terminal. Considering the technological development of batteries expected in the coming years, the paper investigates when the electrification of yard tractors could be cost-effective. Methods The paper proposes a technical and economic-financial analysis to assess the feasibility of a transition of port handling equipment from internal combustion diesel engines to electric vehicles. The proposed methodology is applied to the case study of the PSA-SECH terminal in the port of Genoa (Italy), demonstrating the advantages and limitations of electric tractors in the port context. Results The analysis shows that the use of electric powertrains for yard tractors is feasible technologically and from the point of view of energy use. However, at present, the investment is not profitable given the current situation in terms of costs and technology. Conclusion Electrification of yard tractors is a potentially beneficial transformation for port handling processes. Nevertheless, the entire energy chain should be considered in order to assess its environmental sustainability. Other alternative powertrains should be investigated.

Habitat Fragmentation Enhances the Difference between Natural and Artificial Reefs in an Urban Marine Coastal Tract

Coastal urbanization and the consequent proliferation of artificial structures greatly impact rocky reef communities, productive and diverse marine environments that play a crucial role in the functioning of broader coastal ecosystems. This study, conducted along a 7 km stretch of coastline at increasing distance from the port of Genoa (Ligurian Sea), investigated whether the alternating presence of artificial and natural reefs leads to discernible differences in the biota inhabiting these two reef types. The study area is one of the most anthropized areas of the Mediterranean Sea, exhibiting nearly 60% coastal artificialization, which severely impacts coastal ecosystems, favouring the replacement of sensitive species with more tolerant species. Ten reefs (5 natural and 5 artificial) were surveyed by scuba diving at about a 6-m depth, employing quadrats of 50 cm × 50 cm to estimate visually the percent cover of conspicuous sessile organisms. The artificial reefs hosted a similar number of species (18) to their natural counterparts (19) but exhibited a distinct community composition: the former were especially characterized by Jania rubens and filamentous algae, with the latter characterized by Peyssonnelia squamaria and Mesophyllum lichenoides. This difference, however, became negligible where coastal habitat fragmentation (here measured with a purposely devised Fragmentation Index) was minimal. Reducing fragmentation may therefore represent a management strategy to minimize the potential impact of artificial structures on marine biodiversity.

Myco-Barriers as Sustainable Tool for Port Seawater Decontamination from Metals

Several inputs of metal contamination can affect port seawater, such as industries and sludges. Despite the urge of developing new techniques to face this problem, most of the studies focus on traditional methods of remediation. Bioremediation by fungi represents an innovative and sustainable tool to efficiently remove metals from seawaters. The study’s aim is to develop a new green technology using fungi (myco-barriers) to maintain a good standard for water quality in port areas. A large commercial port (Port of Genoa) and a small marina (Port of Cavo) in Italy were chosen as pilot sites. Myco-barriers were realised by inoculating sterile straw and sawdust with mycelium of macro- and microfungi. After the incubation, myco-barriers were placed in the ports and sampled after 15 and 30 days to verify metal bioaccumulation. Myco-barriers with macrofungi showed the tendency to bioaccumulate more efficiently after 15 treatment days (Zn 7.0 mg kg−1, Cu 6.5 mg kg−1, Pb 1.2 mg kg−1), while myco-barriers with microfungi showed higher bioaccumulation after 30 days (Ni 0.6 mg kg−1, Pb 0.6 mg kg−1, Cu 5 mg kg−1). Results showed that myco-barriers have metal bioaccumulation potential and can represent a significant alternative to traditional techniques of remediation (chemical–physical).

Cold Ironing: Socio-Economic Analysis in the Port of Genoa

Background: The emissions of ships in ports are increasingly becoming an issue, and particularly those of NOx, SOx, and PM, rather than CO2. One realistic solution for reducing GHG emissions is cold ironing technology. This paper highlights the socio-economic impact of increasing utilization of cold ironing in the port of Genoa, quantifying the achievable emissions reductions and estimating the effects over a defined time horizon. Methods: This research employs an interdisciplinary approach and uses quantitative data with a bottom-up approach for data collection. For the quantification of health costs, reference was made to the CAFE program, which defines a calculation method to estimate the external costs generated by polluting agents such as NH3, NOx, SO2, VOCs, and PM2.5. Results: Analysis of results shows the significant importance of relying on cold ironing and the importance of renewable port generation. Health cost savings using cold ironing and a different mix of generations are calculated, and these results strongly signal the importance of cold ironing. Conclusions: Cold ironing is indeed an effective anti-pollution measure. Its use to reduce polluting emissions is to be strongly recommended. Investments are cost-effective versus health costs and are sustainable by all parties.

Ports, crime and security: governing and policing seaports in a changing world By Anna Sergi, Alexandria Reid, Luca Storti, Marleen Easton, Bristol University Press. 2021. £80.00 (hbk). ISBN: 978‐152921771

Regional Science Policy & PracticeEarly View BOOK REVIEW Ports, crime and security: governing and policing seaports in a changing world By Sergi, , Reid, , Storti, , Easton, , Bristol University Press. 2021. £80.00 (hbk). ISBN: 978-152921771 Marco Antonelli, Corresponding Author Marco Antonelli [email protected] Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, ItalySearch for more papers by this author Marco Antonelli, Corresponding Author Marco Antonelli [email protected] Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, ItalySearch for more papers by this author First published: 03 May 2023 https://doi.org/10.1111/rsp3.12673Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL No abstract is available for this article. REFERENCES Bottalico, A. (2022). Innovation and labor in the port industry: A comparison between Genoa and Antwerp. Journal of Business Logistics, 43(3), 368– 387. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbl.12303 Brooks, M. R., & Cullinane, K. (2007). Devolution, port governance and port performance. Elsevier. Kleemans, E. R. (2018). Organized crime and places. In G. J. N. Bruinsma & S. D. Johnson (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of environmental criminology. Oxford University Press. 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190279707.013.24 Sergi, A. (2020). Policing the port, watching the city. Manifestations of organised crime in the port of Genoa. Policing and Society, 31(6), 639– 655. 10.1080/10439463.2020.1758103 Early ViewOnline Version of Record before inclusion in an issue ReferencesRelatedInformation

The EU Interreg Project “GEREMIA” on waste management for the improvement of port waters: results on monitoring the health status of fish as bioindicator

Highly anthropized areas as ports represent complex scenarios that require accurate monitoring plans aimed to address the environmental status. In this context, the activities of the EU Interreg Project “GEstione dei REflui per il MIglioramento delle Acque portuali (GEREMIA)” were focused on comparing sites differently affected by human presence, as the Port of Genoa and the natural area of the S’Ena Arrubia fishpond: a panel of analyses was carried out on Mugilidae fish sampled in these two areas, aimed to address trace metal accumulation in the liver, gills, and muscle, as well as cytochrome P450 (CYP450) induction in liver and biliary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites, and histopathological alterations in the liver and gills. Chemical analyses in the liver, gills, and muscle of specimens collected in the port area showed an overall higher degree of trace metal contamination compared to the natural fishpond, and similar results were obtained in terms of CYP450 induction and biliary PAH metabolites, suggesting a higher exposure to organic compounds. In addition, histopathological analyses revealed a significant alteration and then a loss of functionality of liver and gill tissue in individuals from the port. Overall, this study describes the complex environmental pollution scenario in the Port of Genoa, confirming the importance of using multidisciplinary approaches and different types of analyses to address both the presence and the effects of contaminants in marine environments.

Marine Insurance in Early Modern Genoa (1564–1571): A Risk-Shifting or Risk-Sharing Tool?

Abstract This paper investigates the main features of the Genoese insurance market between 1564 and 1572, thanks to the analysis of an unpublished tax register that preserves all insurance policies drafted in Genoa in that period. Marine insurance, intended as an archetypical risk-shifting technique, is probably the oldest financial instrument intended solely to protect against the economic consequences of commercial losses. Conventional premium insurance was developed as a tool to transfer risk during the commercial revolution of the late middle ages. This development was first led by Italian cities, among whom Genoa played a key role. However, Genoese operators involved in the insurance sectors, which belonged almost exclusively to the patrician families ruling the republic, acted as a mutual “risk-community” in a semi-closed market: a sort of “syndicate”. They shared among them the risks of maritime routes calling at the port of Genoa. Insurance was a zero-sum game, with low losses and gains that did not allow a true single-sector specialisation.

“Contingent power extension” and regional (dis)integration: China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its consequences for the EU

In this article, we explore the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a case of “Contingent Power Extension” (CPE) towards the European Union (EU), assessing its implications for regional (dis)integration in the latter. CPE is a conceptual prism that interprets the BRI as a polymorphous, dynamic, and context-specific mechanism through which Chinese foreign policy elites intend to convey, amplify, and legitimize the regime’s power-reach into other regions, including the EU. Along two examples—the 14 + 1 Cooperation Forum and the Port of Genoa in Italy—we examine the power dynamics of the BRI by tracing (a) the processual impact of power extension towards the EU and (b) the (un)intended consequences for the EU in terms of (dis)integration. The findings of our analysis provide an insight into the multicausal relations between the BRI and European (dis)integration not as a static outcome but rather as a contested process of struggle. The article concludes by discussing whether and how the EU can strengthen its own institutional foundations and use its systemic leverage to respond to the BRI while enhancing regional integration in the process.

Biological Resistance of Acetylated Radiata Pine, European Beech, and MDF against Marine Borers at Three Italian Sites after Five Years Immersion

The aim of this research was to determine the resistance of acetylated wood against marine biodeterioration in use class 5 for use in temperate waters. The resistance of acetylated radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) on solid and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) panels was compared with untreated wood of European species, such as European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.), European oak (Quercus robur L.), and marine plywood. As a reference control, untreated Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood was used. The field tests were carried out in accordance with EN 275, and started in April 2015. The three Italian exposure sites were Marine of Scarlino private harbor, Port of Genoa, and the Venice Lagoon. Final evaluation in 2021 showed a greater resistance to marine borers of acetylated wood, radiata pine, and beech and MDF panels. However, the untreated European species showed low resistance against marine organisms, with complete decay after the first year of exposure.

Baseline on rare earth elements in the marine sediments of a Mediterranean commercial port as environmental tracers and their relationships with inorganic contaminants

The Port of Genoa (north-western Mediterranean Sea) receives sediments from two different catchment areas (Bisagno and Polcevera torrents). The aim of the work is to evaluate if Rare Earth Elements (REEs) could be used to identify the two sedimentary inputs and to unravel the origin of inorganic contaminants in an anthropised basin. REE results constitute a baseline for this port. The main REE-bearing minerals are phosphates and zircon. As, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Sn concentrate in the sediments closer to the Bisagno Torrent mouth, and the correlation with Ca and Light-REEs suggests their plausible geological origin. Co, Mn, and Ni maxima lie in the sediments closer to the Polcevera Torrent. Their correlation with Middle-REEs and Mg suggest that ophiolitic rocks could explain their presence. Cr, Cu, V, and Zn do not show a clear correlation with REEs, and their origin probably is a combination of natural and anthropogenic sources.

Stochastic oil spill modeling for environmental protection at the Port of Taranto (southern Italy)

We performed stochastic simulations of hypothetical oil spills from a single-point buoy mooring and subsea pipeline for the Port of Taranto given that this port is an essential strategic hub in the European logistic chain. Our methodology integrates (1) the MEDSLIK-II oil spill model coupled to a high-resolution hydrodynamic model run on an unstructured grid in operational forecasting mode; (2) a hypothetical oil spill scenario based on a historical pipeline rupture at the Port of Genoa, 2016; and (3) randomly sampling the environmental conditions over 2018–2020. The main oil drift was found to be directed southwesterly towards the outlet to the open sea. When oil is transported by highly variable currents, waves and turbulent mixing, it is exposed to multiple strandings and washing-offs from concrete constructions in the port. Consequently, oil tends to be dispersed almost isotropically over the Mar Grande, indicating low to moderate pollution indices.

Whatever the cost: Grain trade and the Genoese dominating minority in Sicily and Tabarka (16th-18th centuries)

This work analyses the activities of Genoese merchant communities in the grain trade in western Mediterranean markets. Our goal is to shed light on their ability to integrate into foreign lands, taking advantage of their privileged position within the Spanish Crown. Our analysis is focussed on two case studies, strictly connected from a theoretical point of view: Sicily and Tabarka. Both Genoese minorities living on these two islands used the port of Genoa as their commercial hub. Regarding Sicily, this study has mostly drawn information from a yet unexploited source: general average procedures drawn up in Genoa. General average (GA) was (and still is nowadays) a legal instrument used in maritime trade to share between all parties involved the expenses which can befall ships and cargoes from the time of their loading aboard until their unloading (due to accidents, jettison, etc.). These documents have been collected in an online database soon to be published as part of the ERC-funded AveTransRisk project. They offer valuable insights on shipmasters and merchants, cargo values, ports of destination, wheat prices, etc. All the sources are available on the online database resulting from the AveTransRisk project, of which we are members (http://humanities-research.exeter.ac.uk/avetransrisk). For the trade in North African wheat, we have mostly used documents related to the Genoese ‘colony’ of Tabarka, administered by the Lomellini family. These sources are kept in the Genoese archives as well as in the Archives Nationales of Paris.

Effects of marine traffic on sediment erosion and accumulation in ports: a new model-based methodology

Abstract. The action of propeller-induced jets on the seabed of ports can cause erosion and the deposition of sediment around the port basin, potentially significantly impacting the bottom topography over the medium and long term. If such dynamics are constantly repeated for long periods, a drastic reduction in ships' clearance can result through accretion, or the stability and duration of structures can be threatened through erosion. These sediment-related processes present port management authorities with problems, both in terms of navigational safety and the optimization of management and maintenance activities of the port's bottom and infrastructure. In this study, which is based on integrated numerical modeling, we examine the hydrodynamics and the related bottom sediment erosion and accumulation patterns induced by the action of vessel propellers in the passenger port of Genoa, Italy. The proposed new methodology offers a state-of-the-art science-based tool that can be used to optimize and efficiently plan port management and seabed maintenance.

Transformation of a Ferry Ship into a Ship Hospital for COVID-19 Patients.

Liguria is a northwestern region of Italy that, since the WHO has declared COVID-19 as a pandemic (11 March 2020), presented 108 patients hospitalized, 34 of which were in the intensive care unit. Due to this serious epidemiological emergency, the transformation of a long-distance ferry ship into a hospital ship for COVID-19 patients who were still positive after the acute phase of the illness was carried out to free up hospital beds for patients in the acute phase. The ship was moored in the port of Genoa, the capital of Liguria. The conversion was localized to a single deck, where designated healthcare areas were identified. From 23 March to 18 June 2020, 191 patients were admitted onto the ship; they were provided with high-level healthcare guaranteed by the multi-disciplinary nature of clinical competencies available. Patients had a favorable outcome in all cases, confirmed by their recovery and negative swab results. Moreover, no cases of voluntary discharge were recorded. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only example in the world in which a passenger ship was transformed into a ship hospital for COVID patients.

Exploring Knowledge Sharing in Sea-Land Logistics Networks: Lessons from the Port of Genoa

Exploring Knowledge Sharing in Sea-Land Logistics Networks: Lessons from the Port of Genoa

Policing the port, watching the city. Manifestations of organised crime in the port of Genoa

ABSTRACT This article will present the results of a qualitative research into organised crime in the port of Genoa, Italy’s largest port, by looking at the challenges of policing the port space. Through the case of Genoa, the paper reflects on how organised crime manifests across three trajectories in seaports: trafficking through the port, infiltration in the port economy and governance of the port management. This paper argues that the space and geography of the port-city relationship are key to understand how and to what extent different organised criminal groups act in and around the port and within global drives. An integrated approach between urban criminology and organised crime studies is needed to better map the very complex picture of organised criminality in the port within the city.

Carlo Piano e Renzo. Piano Atlantide. Viaggio alla ricerca della bellezza

The journey to Atlantis, the city that for centuries has stimulated the curiosity of philosophers, scientists, pioneers, novelists and now world-famous architects, starts from the port of Genoa. A journey that in reality constitutes a narrative artifice of Carlo Piano to strike up a dialogue with his father and retrace together the stories that lie behind his most important projects. Images of the port, the water and the light re ected on the sea recur in the story, elements skilfully evoked in Renzo Piano’s architecture: the «Beaubourg looks like a ship, out of scale and in dry. The Whitney a vessel oating above Manhattan, the Shard the mainmast of the clippers that galloped from the Indies to the ames».

Detection and Characterization of Meteotsunamis in the Gulf of Genoa

A long-term time series of high-frequency sampled sea-level data collected in the port of Genoa were analyzed to detect the occurrence of meteotsunami events and to characterize them. Time-frequency analysis showed well-developed energy peaks on a 26–30 minute band, which are an almost permanent feature in the analyzed signal. The amplitude of these waves is generally few centimeters but, in some cases, they can reach values comparable or even greater than the local tidal elevation. In the perspective of sea-level rise, their assessment can be relevant for sound coastal work planning and port management. Events having the highest energy were selected for detailed analysis and the main features were identified and characterized by means of wavelet transform. The most important one occurred on 14 October 2016, when the oscillations, generated by an abrupt jump in the atmospheric pressure, achieved a maximum wave height of 50 cm and lasted for about three hours.

Port labour, competitiveness and drivers of change in the Mediterranean Sea: a conceptual framework

Despite the progressive shift towards the capital-intensive paradigm, the human factor is still considered as one of most valuable assets in the port domain. Port labour from ship-to-shore and yard crane drivers to harbour pilots may lead to the success in port competition, affecting the quality, reliability and flexibility of port service. Several scholars started to address the major drivers shaping the causal relation between port labour and competitiveness. While some individual determinants have been already discussed, including port governance settings, innovation and technology, shifts in the demand needs, etc., extant literature fails to provide a multidimensional conceptual framework. The article addresses this literature gap by proposing an ad hoc theoretical model that identifies valuable drivers of change, which shape the relationship between port labour and competitiveness in the Mediterranean port systems. Grounded on two case studies in the Mediterranean Sea, i.e. the Port of Genoa and the Port of Marseille, the conceptual framework is tested and empirically validated. Managerial and organizational implications for port competitiveness are discussed, providing useful insights for both academics and practitioners.