IT Prefix and Three-Character Location Code
Italian UN/LOCODEs begin with the country prefix IT followed by a three-character location identifier. For example, ITGOA identifies Genova and ITTRI identifies Trieste.
Seaports in Italy: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Italy has 324 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database and is a major Mediterranean gateway linking European, North African, Middle Eastern and global trade lanes.
Compare Italian port codes, regional gateways, container activity and practical routing considerations for international sea freight.
Italy Port Overview
Italy’s port system combines large container gateways, Ro-Ro terminals, ferry ports, liquid-bulk facilities and regional commercial ports. Ecer Freight coverage is an indexed database measure and should not be confused with national port-system totals or international container-port rankings.
324
Italy ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Oct 2026
~490m
Italy port freight handled, tonnes, 2024; YoY change varies by cargo segment
Assoporti port statistics · 2024
~11.9m
Container throughput, TEU, 2024; approximately +3% YoY
Assoporti / port authority releases · 2024
~24
Main Port System Authorities, 2025 administrative framework; no comparable YoY series
MIT Port System Authorities · 2025
How many seaports does Italy have?
Italy has 324 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its October 2026 database snapshot. This is an indexed coverage figure, not a claim that Italy has only 324 maritime facilities.
What is Italy’s largest container gateway?
Genova, UN/LOCODE ITGOA, is generally Italy’s leading container gateway by container activity and a major northern Italian supply-chain hub, subject to the reporting year and port-system definition.
Which areas handle most of Italy’s sea freight?
The principal cargo clusters are the Ligurian and northern Tyrrhenian gateways, the northern Adriatic ports of Trieste and Venice, and major southern transshipment and regional gateways including Gioia Tauro, Napoli and Palermo.
Top Italian Ports by Container and Freight Activity
The table highlights leading ports represented in the Ecer Freight sample. World ranks and 2025 throughput figures are indicative league-table measures compiled from public port and industry reporting; rankings can change with port-system boundaries and publication methodology.
Selected Italy gateways · 2025 container throughput where publicly reported
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~70 | Genova | ITGOA | 2.8 | +4.0% | Ligurian Sea |
| ~125 | La Spezia | ITSPE | 1.4 | +3.0% | Ligurian Sea |
| ~145 | Trieste | ITTRI | 0.8 | +6.0% | Northern Adriatic |
| ~155 | Livorno | ITLEG | 0.9 | +2.0% | Tyrrhenian Sea |
| ~170 | Venice | ITVEN | 0.6 | +5.0% | Northern Adriatic |
| ~180 | Gioia Tauro | ITGIT | 3.5 | +8.0% | Southern Tyrrhenian |
| ~220 | Napoli | ITNAP | 0.5 | +1.0% | Campania |
| — | Ancona | ITANC | — | — | Central Adriatic |
| — | Palermo | ITPAL | — | — | Sicily |
| — | Cagliari | ITCAG | — | — | Sardinia |
Italy Port Regions and Cargo Roles
Ligurian and Northern Tyrrhenian Gateways
Northern western Italy provides direct access to the industrial belt around Milan, Turin and Emilia-Romagna, with container, project cargo, automotive and Ro-Ro flows.
Selected western gateways
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genova | ITGOA | Genova | Containers, Ro-Ro, project cargo and gateway freight |
| La Spezia | ITSPE | La Spezia | Containers, multipurpose cargo and northern Italy distribution |
| Livorno | ITLEG | Livorno | Containers, vehicles, Ro-Ro and regional cargo |
| Civitavecchia | ITCVV | Civitavecchia | Ro-Ro, vehicles, ferries and central Italy access |
Northern Adriatic
The northern Adriatic cluster serves Central European hinterlands through rail and road corridors, alongside containers, bulk commodities and project cargo.
Selected Adriatic gateways
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trieste | ITTRI | Trieste | Containers, energy, Ro-Ro and Central European gateway cargo |
| Venice | ITVEN | Graz | Containers, general cargo, project cargo and industrial supply chains |
| Ravenna | ITRAV | Emilia-romagna | Dry bulk, agribulk, project cargo and regional industry |
| Ancona | ITANC | Marche | Ro-Ro, ferries, vehicles and general cargo |
Southern Mainland and Calabria
Southern gateways support transshipment, energy, automotive, ferry and regional distribution networks across the Mediterranean.
Selected southern mainland gateways
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gioia Tauro | ITGIT | Gioia Tauro | Mediterranean container transshipment |
| Napoli | ITNAP | Napoli | Containers, Ro-Ro, ferries and Campania distribution |
| Salerno | ITSAL | Salerno | Containers, vehicles, Ro-Ro and regional manufacturing cargo |
| Bari | ITBAR | Bari | Ferries, Ro-Ro, general cargo and Adriatic services |
Island Gateways
Sicilian and Sardinian ports connect island supply chains with mainland Italy, North Africa and wider Mediterranean ferry and feeder networks.
Selected island gateways
Italy Port Codes and UN/LOCODE Structure
City-Level and Terminal-Level References
A location code may represent a port, city or logistics location rather than a single berth. Booking documents should also confirm the terminal, carrier service, vessel call and operating facility.
How to Verify an Italy Port Code
Check the official UNECE UN/LOCODE directory and compare the result with the Ecer Freight port-code directory before preparing shipping instructions.
Shipping from Italy: Main Trade Lanes
Transit times are planning ranges only. Actual schedules depend on the Italian gateway, transshipment, vessel rotation, equipment availability, customs procedures and final destination.
Italy to East Asia
Regular container services connect northern and southern Italian gateways with Asian manufacturing and distribution markets.
Italy to North America
Transatlantic services support industrial, automotive, consumer and project cargo flows between Italy and North American gateways.
Italy to Mediterranean and North Africa
Short-sea, feeder, ferry and container services connect Italy with nearby Mediterranean markets and North African production zones.
Italy to Northern Europe
Feeder, rail, road and short-sea combinations connect Italian ports with North Sea hubs and inland European markets.
Sources and Data Methodology
The page separates Ecer Freight’s indexed coverage from official port-system statistics and international container league-table data. Figures are reviewed against available public releases and remain subject to later corrections.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party October 2026 snapshot containing 324 indexed Italy ports and terminals.
- Assoporti — Italian port traffic and port-system statistics, including cargo and container reporting.
- Italy Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport — Port System Authorities, maritime administration and transport policy information.
- UNECE UN/LOCODE — international location-code structure and country-prefix reference.
- PortEconomics Management — contextual port-performance and container-port benchmarking resources.
Italy Seaport FAQ
How many seaports does Italy have?
Italy has 324 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the October 2026 database snapshot. The figure represents indexed coverage and not an official legal count of every maritime facility.
What is the busiest port in Italy?
Genova, coded ITGOA, is generally the leading Italian container gateway in published port comparisons. Gioia Tauro, coded ITGIT, is also a major Mediterranean transshipment hub.
What is the UN/LOCODE for Genova?
The Ecer Freight sample lists Genova as ITGOA. Shipping instructions should still confirm the terminal and carrier booking location.
Which Italian port regions are important for international freight?
Important clusters include the Ligurian Sea, northern Adriatic, central Tyrrhenian, southern mainland and island gateways. Genova, La Spezia, Trieste, Venice, Livorno, Gioia Tauro and Napoli are frequently relevant to container and multimodal planning.
Are the Italy throughput figures current?
The page is prepared for 2026 and uses an October 2026 database snapshot. The latest complete national reporting year is generally 2025, while some public port statistics may be released or consolidated later; figures are therefore subject to confirmation.
How should a shipper choose an Italy port?
Selection depends on origin and destination, vessel service, equipment, inland transport, terminal capability, cargo type, customs requirements and total landed cost. A freight quotation should confirm the exact terminal and routing.
Where can I request Italy FCL or LCL rates?
FCL rates are available through the FCL sea freight rate search, while consolidated cargo can be reviewed through the LCL sea freight rate search.
Editorial note: Italy port coverage combines the Ecer Freight database snapshot dated October 2026 with publicly available port-authority, Italian transport-administration, UNECE and industry statistics. Throughput, rankings, schedules and terminal conditions are reviewed quarterly and may change as authorities publish revised figures.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Italy: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact