Genoa, transfer of the chemical pole to Somalia bridge. Risks, times and possible alternatives: everything you need to know
Genoa – In a few hours the board of the Port Authority will decide on the relocation of the chemical deposits of Genoa, from Multedo to the port area of Sampierdarena, to Somalia bridge. The decision is important because it unlocks a 30-year impasse. Here are some things to know about deposits.
Are they dangerous deposits?
Yes, like all industrial activities. The deposits deal with toxic or flammable substances above 65 degrees of heat. Like all industrial activities, they are also subject to safety monitoring by law, which the deposits currently in Multedo comply with. Substances similar to those treated at Multedo are already in port, at Sampierdarena, in the Silomar deposits.
What are the transfer times?
The site, if approved, is expected to be operational by 2025.
Who are the citizens involved?
The inhabitants of Multedo and those of Sampierdarena, both densely populated areas and together with large industrial areas.
Why do the deposits go from Multedo?
In 1987 there was a fire in the Carmagnani that cost the lives of four workers. The same year the Municipality, the Region and the Province signed an agreement for the transfer of the deposits to an area less close to the houses. The goal was to move forward by 1991.
How long have you expected the transfer to take place?
For over 30 years: it was only with the release of the Enel bunker in 2017 that the debate in port was resumed. If the transaction is not completed by January 2022, the Municipality will lose 30 million in public grants for the transfer.
Why was Ponte Somalia chosen?
Because the Gavio group, holder of the concession, has given its availability on 77 thousand square meters of the compendium, considered by the Municipality and the Authority in an industrial area with less interference with the city than where the deposits are now located.
What are the alternative locations?
Superba’s preferred hypothesis was the former Enel bunker, which the Port Authority destined for containers. A location at the Messina terminal was being studied, but no agreement was reached between operators; the ex Ilva area was hypothesized alongside the Polcevera, which however already had other destinations; the breakwater was thought of, but it would mean that nothing would have moved until 2026. The Savona option was studied and then discarded, as well as in the areas close to Porto Petroli.
Who is in favor and who is against?
The two companies that move and the operation are in favor of the Municipality, director of the operation. We will see if this afternoon there will be the OK of the Authority, but it seems so. Contrary to the Central West Municipality (which will present an appeal), the citizen committees opposing the project, Legambiente which proposed Vado Ligure as an area for relocation, the competing companies that have presented an application for the same areas in the Port Authority (such as Saar and Silomar , Campostano who fears interference with its business in Ponte Somalia, Gmt and Csm). The shipowner Grimaldi, Gavio’s main customer in Genoa, who fears losing half of the areas at his disposal (when instead he would like new ones), the transport unions, opposed to the operation because it reduces work on the quay, Enac which complains of not having been consulted sufficiently, due to interference with air traffic.
Are there other ports where chemical deposits are located?
Yes. Speaking of chemical deposits, the largest are in Sardinia (Sarroch, over one million cubic meters of capacity, in Genoa there are 135,000); in Sicily (Augusta and Syracuse, together 1.4 million cubic meters). These sites are far from the city, and embedded in large petrochemical complexes. There are also deposits in Livorno and Ravenna (in the latter case far from the city, but behind the seaside resorts on the coast). Naples has a small authorized depot for chemists in port, in a situation that, due to its partial location, could materialize in Genoa.
The appeal of the inhabitants of the Canepa waterfront: “Your choice our lives”
A few hours after the Authority’s decision, the Canepa waterfront citizens’ committee issued an appeal, reiterating the discussions of the inhabitants of the district that will host the pole. Below is the press release.
Appeal to the decision makers of our future.
In a few hours, the meeting of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority will be held to decide whether to agree to the transfer of the deposits to Ponte Somalia.
At that meeting fathers, mothers, children, uncles (and why not? Grandparents!) …
In deciding destiny by appealing to your conscience … there is no zero risk, we all know that.
We do not transform Genoa and our port into a huge chemical warehouse.
Let’s not distort our Genoa …
Genoa is much more …
At that meeting, you decision makers, think of the thousands of people with bated breath … at the meeting of fathers, mothers, children, uncles and grandparents !!!
Why is it useless to hide it … your choice today will change our lives forever …
not necessarily positive !!!.
Take care of us!
President of the Lungomare Canepa Committee
Silvia Giardella
Below, the last stages of the story in the articles of the XIX century
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