Livorno: a port-city fighting against Covid-19

The Port and the City of Livorno are elaborating joint solutions to better cope with Covid-19 and support local economy. On the cultural aspect, the Port is doing everything to conserve its link with the citizens: all the activities of the Port Center of Livorno have been uploaded on their website, and abundant "City Port" content is available online, to enjoy from home during the quarantine. The Port of Livorno is an active member of AIVP since 2000 AIVP – In the context of Covid-19 pandemic, Italy is the most affected European country. What are the consequences of the virus on the port activities, especially on the logistical and economical dimensions? Francesca Morucci, Head of Public Relations Office, Port of LivornoMassimiliano Barbera, Livorno Port Center The Covid-19 pandemic crisis is affecting the global economy: UNCTAD says the slowdown will cost at least $ 1 trillion.As regards the trend of the Italian economy following the Covid-19 epidemic, the contraction forecasted in 2020 in the turnover of Italian companies is between -7% and -18%, which means, in the worst hypothesis around 470 billion euros. The most affected sector will be Tourism: based on the latest news, UNWTO estimates international tourist arrivals all over the world could decline by 20% to 30% in 2020 with an incredible loss of money. But other sectors would be hit by the Covid-19 epidemy: Air Transport, Automotive industry and Transport and Logistics sector would undoubtedly lose their position in the global market. As regards the port sector, container traffic is expected to remain above 2019 volumes in the first quarter of 2020, but a fall is estimated starting from March. So far Livorno for this traffic has around 7% drop in the first three months. Port Ro/Ro traffic too will be severely hit by the halt to MOS services between Med countries whereas the food supply chain and the medical one are performing well. The most critical situation recorded for commercial traffic is for the new car sector due to the failure of dealers to collect their cars (sales collapse) and therefore overcrowding of storage areas near the quays is occurring.All the terminals have reorganized their work. For example, in container terminals shifts have been reduced from 6 hours to 5 1/2 hours in order to allow for the sanitization of vehicles and equipment used by workers before each shift change. One positive point is that manufacturing companies’ warehouses currently closed will remain open to facilitate deliveries and the transportation of goods. This novelty is to be found in President Conte’s latest Prime Ministerial Decree, stating that for suspended manufacturing activities it is now possible to send merchandise stockpiled in warehouses to third parties as well as to receive goods and supplies at warehouses, as long as the Prefect has been previously…