Posted on April 6, 2026
Dredging operations at the Barcola marina in Trieste have been suspended after the discovery of 17 unexploded World War II artillery shells, prompting a coordinated safety response and temporary measures for displaced boat owners.
Regional officials said they are working with the Port Authority to provide alternative berths, with several port areas — including sites near Molo Zero — expected to accommodate around 100 vessels. The spaces will be equipped at the Region’s expense to ease disruptions caused by the halt in work.
The shells, believed to be of British origin, were uncovered during routine dredging aimed at deepening the seabed and clearing long-accumulated debris. Military bomb disposal experts from the Italian Army have since secured and removed the devices.
The dredging is part of a broader €3 million regional effort to restore navigability along the coastline, including interventions at the Rio Ospo and reinforcement of coastal barriers in Barcola.
Officials are now preparing for a full clearance operation to determine whether additional ordnance remains. While some areas on land are expected to reopen pending authorization from maritime authorities, access to the affected waters will remain restricted.
The discovery was described as unexpected, as the area was not known to have been the site of direct wartime activity. Authorities believe the munitions may have been abandoned during the withdrawal of British forces.
No timeline has been set for the resumption of dredging, as multiple agencies — including contractors, military units and maritime authorities — remain involved in the ongoing operation.
