UN/LOCODE: ITTAR📍 Italy
Port of Taranto (UN/LOCODE ITTAR)
❖ Coordinates: 40.4800°N, 17.2300°E
❖ Time Zone: Europe/Rome
❖ UN/LOCODE: ITTAR
## About the Port
**Port of Taranto (UN/LOCODE: ITTAR)** sits at the strategic entrance of the Gulf of Taranto in the southern Italian region of Puglia. Located at **40.48° N, 17.23° E** and operating under the **Europe/Rome** time zone, the port enjoys year‑round temperate Mediterranean conditions and natural deep‑water access that accommodates vessels up to 250 m LOA. Managed by the public‑private consortium **Port Authority of Taranto (Autorità Portuale di Taranto)**, the facility serves as a multimodal gateway linking sea, rail, road, and inland waterways. It is classified by the **World Port Index** as a “major container and bulk terminal” and is listed among the top 20 Italian ports by cargo throughput.
Key performance indicators (KPIs) for 2023 include:
| KPI | Value |
|-----|-------|
| Total cargo handled | **23.1 Mt** (million tonnes) |
| TEU throughput | **1.9 m** |
| Vessel calls | **1,830** |
| Draft (max) | **16 m** |
| Quay length | **3.2 km** |
| Direct rail connections | **2 main lines** (Bari–Taranto and Naples–Taranto) |
The port’s geographic position makes it a natural hub for trans‑Mediterranean traffic, the Adriatic–Ionian corridor, and the emerging “Blue Economy” initiatives within the Central Mediterranean.
---
## History
### Ancient Origins
Taranto’s maritime heritage dates to the **6th century BC** when the city‑state of Taras, founded by Spartan colonists, established one of the most powerful naval bases in the Magna Graecia region. Archaeological evidence of ancient shipyards and amphorae workshops demonstrates early integration into the Mediterranean trade network, exporting grain, wine, and metalwork.
### Roman and Byzantine Era
Under Roman rule (146 BC–476 AD), the harbor was expanded to support the **Classis Tarentum**, a fleet responsible for securing the Adriatic and Ionian seas. Byzantine control in the 6th–11th centuries preserved the port’s function as a logistical node for military expeditions and grain shipments to the imperial capital.
### Medieval to Modern Development
The Norman and later **Aragonese** periods saw the construction of fortified breakwaters and the establishment of a shipbuilding industry specializing in galleys. In the 19th century, the Kingdom of Italy invested heavily in dredging and the installation of a **steam‑powered rail line** (opened 1865), which transformed Taranto into a modern cargo hub.
The decisive moment came after World II, when the **Italian Ministry of Transport** rebuilt the war‑damaged facilities and introduced mechanized cargo handling. The 1960s‑1970s marked the arrival of oil terminals and bulk carriers, aligning the port with Italy’s post‑war industrial expansion.
### 21st‑Century Revitalization
Since the early 2000s, the Port Authority has pursued a **public–private partnership (PPP) model**, attracting foreign investment for container terminal upgrades and digitalization projects. The adoption of the **Port Community System (PCS)** and compliance with the **International Maritime Organization (IMO) MARPOL** regulations have positioned Taranto as a green‑focused gateway, supporting the EU’s **Fit for 55** climate targets.
---
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Quays
- **Container Terminal:** 8 berths (12–16 m draft) equipped with Rail‑Mounted Gantry (RMG) cranes (30 t lift) and Super‑Post‑Panamax quay cranes (24 m outreach).
- **General Cargo:** 12 berths (12 m draft) with mobile cranes ranging from 25 t to 45 t.
- **Bulk & Mineral Terminal:** 6 deep‑water berths (16 m draft) featuring conveyor belts, pneumatic unloaders, and grain elevators with a combined capacity of **3 Mt** per annum.
- **Ro‑Ro / Cruise:** 4 berths (11 m draft) supporting ferry services to Greece and Albania and a dedicated cruise terminal handling up to **200,000 passengers** annually.
### Storage & Handling
- **Container Yards:** 650,000 m² of open storage, with 110 HE stack height and automated gate systems.
- **Bulk Warehouses:** 120,000 m² of climate‑controlled silos for cereals, fertilizers, and petrochemicals.
- **Cold Chain:** 8 refrigerated warehouses (capacity 12,000 TEU) for perishable goods, linked to a **cold‑chain logistics platform** for temperature‑sensitive cargo.
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail:** Two standard gauge lines (1,435 mm) delivering direct access to the **Basilicata‑Apulia rail corridor**, enabling 30‑train per day capacity.
- **Road:** Proximity to **A14/E55** and **A16** motorways, offering 24‑hour truck lanes with dedicated freight‑only lanes.
- **Pipeline:** Integrated **oil & LPG pipelines** connecting to the **Taranto Refinery**, supporting a daily throughput of 150,000 bbl.
### Ancillary Services
- **Customs & Inspection:** 24/7 customs facilities under the **European Union Customs Union**, with a **single window** for electronic documentation.
- **Ship Repair:** Adjacent **Cantiere Navale di Taranto** provides dry‑dock services up to 300 m length, supporting vessel maintenance for the Mediterranean fleet.
- **Renewable Energy:** On‑site **solar farms** (8 MW) and an ongoing **shore‑side electrification (cold ironing)** pilot project reducing ship emissions by up to 30 %.
---
## Economic Importance
### Contribution to Regional GDP
The port accounts for **approximately 9 %** of Puglia’s gross domestic product (GDP) and generates an estimated **€2.8 billion** in annual economic activity. Direct employment exceeds **7,500** positions, while indirect jobs in logistics, manufacturing, and tourism surpass **22,000**.
### Industrial Linkages
- **Steel & Metallurgy:** The nearby **Ilva Taranto steel plant** (now restructured under **ArcelorMittal**) relies on the port for iron ore imports (≈ 1.2 Mt / yr).
- **Energy:** The **Taranto Refinery** (ENI) receives crude oil via the port’s deep‑water terminals, processing 7 million t annually.
- **Agriculture:** Bulk terminals handle wheat, corn, and olive oil shipments from the fertile Salento hinterland, supporting Italy’s export of **high‑value agri‑food** products.
### Strategic Role in EU Trade
As a member of the **EU Mediterranean Sea Transport Cluster**, Taranto serves as a **key transshipment point** for North‑African and Middle‑Eastern trade, facilitating the flow of raw materials into the European market and finished goods back to the Mediterranean basin. The port’s compliance with the **EU Maritime Safety Package** and **IMO’s Data Collection System (DCS)** enhances its attractiveness to shippers seeking reliability and sustainability.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
| Origin / Destination | Main Commodities | Typical Vessel Types |
|----------------------|------------------|----------------------|
| **Northern Europe (Rotterdam, Hamburg)** | Steel coils, chemicals, automotive parts | Panamax & Post‑Panamax container ships |
| **East Mediterranean (Alexandria, Piraeus)** | Crude oil, LPG, wheat | Suezmax tankers, bulk carriers |
| **West Africa (Abidjan, Lagos)** | Fertilizers, machinery, textiles | General cargo vessels |
| **Black Sea (Constanța, Sevastopol)** | Coal, iron ore, grains | Bulk carriers, VLOCs |
| **Domestic Italian network** | Automobiles, ceramics, food products | Ro‑Ro ferries, short‑sea container ships |
### Cargo Breakdown (2023)
- **Containerized cargo:** 1.9 million TEU (≈ 42 % of total throughput) – dominated by automotive components, electronics, and fashion goods.
- **Dry bulk:** 9.6 Mt – principally iron ore, coal, and cereals.
- **Liquid bulk:** 7.5 Mt – primarily crude oil, refined fuels, and liquid natural gas (LNG).
- **Project cargo & heavy lift:** 0.6 Mt – includes components for offshore wind farms and naval vessels.
### Emerging Trends
1. **Green Logistics:** Increasing demand for **low‑sulphur bunker fuel** and **electric shore power** has spurred investments in on‑shore electricity infrastructure.
2. **Digital Trade:** Implementation of blockchain‑based **Bill of Lading** platforms reduces document processing time by 30 %, aligning with the EU’s **Digital Single Market** objectives.
3. **Circular Economy:** The port has launched a **material recovery hub** targeting ship‑breaking scrap and industrial by‑products, aiming to reach a **15 % waste‑to‑resource conversion** by 2030.
---
**References**
- United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) – *Review of Maritime Transport 2024* – https://unctad.org/publication/review-maritime-transport-2024
- European Commission – *Port Community Systems and Digitalisation* – https://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/sea/port-communities
*This article provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of the Port of Taranto, integrating historical context, modern infrastructure, and its pivotal role in Mediterranean and European trade.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
ITTAR
Country
Italy
Province / Region
Puglia
Latitude
40.480000
Longitude
17.230000
Timezone
Europe/Rome
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
Loading Map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Taranto?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Taranto is ITTAR.
Where is Port of Taranto located?
The Port of Taranto is located in Italy, Puglia. Its coordinates are 40.4800°N, 17.2300°E.
What time zone is Port of Taranto in?
Port of Taranto operates in the Europe/Rome time zone.
Scanning Local Infrastructure...
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.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Taranto.
Bari
Italy • 79 km awayCrotone
Italy • 156 km awaySalerno
Italy • 209 km awayDurres
Albania • 210 km away