Posted on November 2, 2026
Over €308 million is planned for the entire Central Adriatic Sea Port System, divided between nearly €218 million for the Marche region and nearly €91 million for Abruzzo. These are the figures for the projects financed or in the planning phase by 2028, contained in the Three-Year Operational Plan 2027-2029 , approved today along with the Budget, by the Management Committee of the Central Adriatic Sea Port System Authority, chaired by President Mirco Carloni and composed of Admiral Massimo Seno, maritime director of the Marche region, Sergio Strali for the Marche region, Simone Mancini for the Abruzzo region, Matteo Vichi for the Municipality of Ancona, and Stefano Cioppi for Pesaro. The captains of the port authorities of the port system also attended the meeting, which took place at the headquarters in the port of Ancona . President Carloni himself presented the document to the media at the end of the Committee meeting. For the Marche region, specifically Ancona, Falconara Marittima, Pesaro, and San Benedetto del Tronto, this means significant investments in dredging, extraordinary works, new facilities and spaces dedicated to shipbuilding, process digitalization, terminal modernization, environmental impact mitigation, and asset enhancement to remain competitive in a maritime trade system undergoing profound transformation. The most significant works are expected in the Doric port, where significant improvements to the port’s competitiveness are planned as early as 2027. Immediately following the approval of the resolution, President Carloni signed the decree for the dredging of the seabed in front of docks 19 to 26, the latter to be reduced to a depth of 14 meters. This will increase the port’s competitiveness by making it possible to dock ships with deeper drafts, at a time when shipowners are reorganizing cargo and trade routes to address international tensions over Hormuz and Suez.
This project was made possible thanks to the confirmation by CIPESS of funding from the Port Infrastructure Decree last August 2026. Not only that, 2027 will also see the completion of work on Quay 23, a strategic project for increasing the number of operational berths, the launch of the tender for the shipbuilding expansion works in the Fincantieri area (€34.4 million), and the work to move the North Pier back (€11 million), with the preservation of the Red Lantern and the mural dedicated to Monica Vitti. All of this is part of a broader plan that paves the way for a profound reorganization of the port, with the progressive concentration of commercial activities on the outer quays and the redevelopment of the Historic Port, intended to strengthen its connection with the city through new tourism, cultural, and nautical activities.
“The other major issue we addressed is terminalization, the process that projects the traditional port dock into the future,” explains President Carloni. “From a multipurpose public space to a specialized terminal granted to a business operator. For this strategy, we have planned new tenders and concessions until 2028. This strategic path will see tenders starting next month for dock 15 (with concession by February 2027), by March 2027 for docks 13, 14, 16, 19, 20, and 21, by September 2027 for dock 23, and by December 2027 for dock 27. It aims to modernize the port, improve the efficiency of port activities, attract investment, and strengthen the competitiveness of the Doric port. The 2027-2029 Three-Year Operational Plan is the fundamental tool for working towards the future of the central Adriatic Sea port system. The document with which we define the integrated strategy for the development of the ports of Marche and Abruzzo allows us to plan and implement the infrastructure construction and organization of services necessary for the growth of the ports, leveraging the potential of each. Our goal is to create a modern, efficient, and competitive port system, a key player in both the national port system and international markets. This goal must be achieved in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, the Marche and Abruzzo Regions, local governments, and the maritime cluster, so that it can be a driving force for the local economy. Our Plan has also been shared by the Risorsa Mare Partnership Body.
For 2027, the Port Authority has planned investments of €67.8 million for structural works alone, while €10.5 million will be spent on digitalization, project design, and related technical preparation and authorization activities.
Further projects are planned for 2028, including the redevelopment of the former Fiera area, while the outcome of the environmental assessment of the Molo Clementino pier is pending. And more: new ticket offices, passenger reception, improved port traffic, and the completion of the former Tubimar area—the demolition contract for which was signed yesterday—to be used as new space for the Luxury Shipbuilding District. These investments affect a strategic sector for the Marche region’s economy and employment. According to data, the shipbuilding and luxury cruise sectors in the Marche region generate annual production exceeding €1.5 billion, employing over 3,300 people directly and providing an estimated 15,000 additional jobs. This high-value-added production chain involves large shipyards, specialized companies, and numerous local manufacturing businesses.
“The Three-Year Operational Plan allows us to translate the Authority’s strategic directions into a concrete program of interventions and activities. As a technical-administrative structure, we ensure consistent coordination between the Plan’s objectives, project planning, financial sustainability, administrative procedures, and performance monitoring, in compliance with the rules and principles of transparency and efficiency,” comments Fabrizio Marilli, Secretary General of the Central Adriatic Sea Port System Authority .
At the port of Pesaro, where a new Authority headquarters will also be opened, the projects include dredging, extraordinary maintenance, and dock redevelopment, with investments totaling approximately €14 million. Meanwhile, at San Benedetto del Tronto, the Plan calls for dredging and improved port accessibility, as well as the start of design work on the first section of the Darsena Nord (North Dock), an infrastructure project estimated at €30 million. On the environmental front, the Plan also focuses on dock electrification, the use of alternative fuels, and the digitalization of logistics, with the aim of reducing emissions and improving port traffic management. The overall objective is to improve the efficiency of the regional port system and support economic and logistical development.
In Abruzzo, the 2027-2029 Operational Plan focuses on widespread planning and investment in Ortona, where dredging projects (€300,000) will begin by December 2026, while the expansion of the shore quay (€30 million) and the service center (€8 million) will begin in 2027, in addition to the full operation of the Molo Martello pier (€4.5 million). €47 million in FSC funding is also earmarked for dredging and the extension of the southern breakwater and the TEN-T rail link. In Pescara, the AdSP office will open by November 2026 and dredging projects (€600,000) will begin in January 2027, with interventions on safety, fishing, and boating. In Vasto, monitoring of projects worth €44.65 million and €25 million in FSC funding for the extension of the Molo Sopraflutto pier and the expansion of the eastern dockyard.
