UN/LOCODE: ITPMO📍 Italy

Port of Palermo (UN/LOCODE ITPMO)

❖ Coordinates: 38.1200°N, 13.3700°E

❖ Time Zone: Europe/Rome

❖ UN/LOCODE: ITPMO

## About the Port Located on the north‑west coast of Sicily, the **Port of Palermo (UN/LOCODE: ITPMO)** serves as one of Italy’s most strategically positioned maritime gateways. Situated at **38.12° N, 13.37° E** within the Europe/Rome time zone, the terminal benefits from a natural deep‑water basin protected by the Bay of Palermo. The port accommodates both **containerized and bulk cargo**, **passenger ferries**, and **cruise liners**, making it a multimodal hub that links the Mediterranean basin with European, North African, and Middle Eastern markets. Operated by the *Port Authority of Palermo* (Autorità Portuale di Palermo), the facility adheres to EU maritime safety, environmental, and customs standards, and is integrated into Italy’s national transport network via autostrada A29, the Palermo‑Messina railway, and the Palermo international airport. Key performance indicators (KPIs) recorded in 2023 include: | Metric | Value | |--------|-------| | **Total cargo throughput** | ~12.3 million metric tonnes | | **Container volume (TEU)** | ~420 000 TEU | | **Cruise passenger movements** | ~1.2 million | | **Annual vessel calls** | ~1 800 | | **Draft at berths** | 13 m (max) | These figures place Palermo among the top 15 Italian ports by cargo volume, and underscore its role as a pivot for **intermodal logistics** across the central Mediterranean corridor. --- ## History The origins of the Port of Palermo trace back to **Phoenician trading outposts** (8th century BC) that exploited the natural harbor for Mediterranean exchange. Roman amphorae discovered on the waterfront confirm continuous commercial activity through antiquity. During the **Norman and Swabian periods (11th–13th centuries)**, Palermo evolved into a royal port, serving as a launch point for Crusader fleets and trade with the Levant. The **Spanish Habsburg rule (16th century)** saw the construction of the *Porto di Sabaudia* (now the modern *Port of Palermo*), equipped with fortifications designed by engineers such as Giovan Battista Antonelli. The **Industrial Revolution** catalyzed a major expansion: in 1865, the first railway link to Messina was opened, and by the early 20th century the port accommodated steamships and early container handling equipment. World War II inflicted severe damage—air raids in 1943 destroyed berths and warehouses—but post‑war reconstruction, driven by the *Autostrada* and *Treno Rapido* projects, restored capacity. In 1995 the Italian government transferred management to the *Port Authority of Palermo*, initiating a **public‑private partnership** model that modernised quay infrastructure, introduced computerized terminal operating systems (TOS), and aligned the port with EU maritime security directives (e.g., ISPS Code). --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Berths and Quays - **General cargo berths**: 10, total length 4 km, water depth 13 m. - **Container terminals**: 2 dedicated terminals (CT‑1 and CT‑2) equipped with **Super‑Post‑Panamax** cranes (capacity up to 45 t), providing a combined **ground slot capacity of 12 000 TEU**. - **Ro‑Ro facilities**: 3 berths (2 km total) serving roll‑on/roll‑off traffic for automobiles, trucks, and heavy equipment. - **Cruise terminal**: 1,800 m² with customs, immigration, and passenger amenities, capable of handling vessels up to 300 m in length. ### Storage & Handling - **Open‑air yards**: 250 ha for bulk commodities (e.g., grain, cement, fertilizer). - **Covered warehouses**: 45 ha, climate‑controlled for perishables and high‑value goods. - **Automated container yard (ACY)**: 8 ha featuring **rail‑mounted gantry (RMG) cranes**, enabling a **4‑hour turnaround** for a 40‑foot container. ### Intermodal Connectivity - **Rail link**: Direct connection to the **Sicilian railway network**, supporting 20 % of cargo movement via 2 × 25 t freight trains per day. - **Road network**: Access to **A29**, **A20**, and the **SS113** arterial, facilitating truck flows to the hinterland of southern Italy, Calabrian markets, and trans‑Alpine routes. - **Logistics parks**: Adjacent *Palermo Logistics Hub* (PLH) provides customs‑bonded warehousing, value‑added services, and satellite offices for major shipping lines. ### Support Services - **Pilotage and towage**: 24/7 pilotage with the *Sicilian Pilots Association*; **four high‑power tugs** rated for vessels up to 80 000 gt. - **Maritime security**: On‑site Coast Guard station and a **Port State Control (PSC)** office compliant with EU maritime inspections. - **Environmental facilities**: **Ballast water treatment plant**, **oil spill response team**, and an **on‑site waste management center** meeting IMO MARPOL standards. For a technical overview of terminal equipment, see the **International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) database**. --- ## Economic Importance ### Regional Impact The Port of Palermo contributes **approximately €4.5 billion** to the Sicilian Gross Regional Product (GRP), representing **9 %** of the island’s GDP. Direct employment exceeds **7 500** jobs, while ancillary sectors (logistics, ship repair, tourism) generate an additional **12 000** positions. ### Trade Balance Palermo operates as a **trade deficit hub** for Sicily, importing **machinery, automotive parts, and chemicals**, while exporting **agricultural produce (citrus, olives), refined petroleum, and manufactured textiles**. The port’s **container throughput** facilitates the *Just‑In‑Time* supply chains of southern Italian manufacturers, particularly in the **electronics and fashion** clusters of Palermo and Catania. ### Cruise Tourism The cruise terminal, revitalised in 2018, draws **over 200 cruise vessels annually**, contributing an estimated **€350 million** to local hospitality sectors. The port’s proximity to historic sites such as the **Palermo Cathedral** and the **Palazzo dei Normanni** enhances its attractiveness as a Mediterranean cruise destination. ### Strategic Role Within the **EU Mediterranean Sea Transport Strategy**, Palermo is identified as a **secondary hub** capable of alleviating congestion at northern Italian transshipment ports (e.g., Genoa, Trieste). Its location makes it a **logistical gateway for North‑African trade**, supporting EU‑Africa agreements on fisheries, agricultural products, and energy imports. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Primary Trade Corridors | Origin / Destination | Main Vessel Types | Frequency (2023) | |----------------------|-------------------|------------------| | **Western Mediterranean** (Marseille, Barcelona) | Feeder & Pan‑Panamax | 250 calls/yr | | **Eastern Mediterranean** (Alexandria, Port Said) | Bulk carriers, Ro‑Ro | 180 calls/yr | | **Northern Europe** (Rotterdam, Hamburg) | Container ships (40‑ft, 45‑ft) | 120 calls/yr | | **Middle East** (Dubai, Jeddah) | LPG carriers, tankers | 95 calls/yr | | **Transatlantic** (New York, Baltimore) | Reefer containers, project cargo | 30 calls/yr | ### Dominant Cargo Types - **Containerized goods**: electronics, textiles, automotive components (≈ 45 % of TEU volume). - **Bulk commodities**: cement, grains, fertilizers (≈ 30 % of total tonnage). - **Roll‑on/roll‑off traffic**: automobiles, heavy machinery (≈ 12 % of calls). - **Liquid bulk**: refined petroleum, LPG, and chemicals (≈ 8 %). - **Cruise passengers & tourism goods**: seasonal spikes in summer months. ### Emerging Trends 1. **Green shipping**: The port has begun offering **shore‑power (cold ironing)** for vessels up to 200 m, aligning with the EU’s *Fit for 55* emissions reduction targets. 2. **Digitalization**: Implementation of a **blockchain‑based cargo tracking platform** (in partnership with the Italian Customs Agency) reduces paperwork and accelerates clearance times. 3. **Intermodal freight rail**: Plans to expand the rail corridor to the **Messina Strait** aim to increase rail‑borne cargo share from 20 % to 35 % by 2030. For up‑to‑date statistical data, consult the **Eurostat maritime transport database**. --- *The Port of Palermo (ITPMO) continues to evolve, leveraging its historic advantage and modern infrastructure to maintain a decisive role in Mediterranean maritime commerce.*

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

ITPMO

Country

Italy

Province / Region

Palermo

Latitude

38.120000

Longitude

13.370000

Timezone

Europe/Rome

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Palermo?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Palermo is ITPMO.

Where is Port of Palermo located?

The Port of Palermo is located in Italy, Palermo. Its coordinates are 38.1200°N, 13.3700°E.

What time zone is Port of Palermo in?

Port of Palermo operates in the Europe/Rome time zone.

🌊 Live Marine Conditions

Wave Height0.14 m

Wave Direction261°

Swell Height0.12 m

Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API

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About the World Port Index

This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.

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