General Description
Location: The port of Messina in Sicily is conveniently situated at the northern entrance to the Straits of Messina, five miles south of Capo Peloro and a similar distance NW of the port of Reggio di Calabria on the Italian mainland.
General overview: The port offers facilities for general and bulk cargoes as well as cruise, car and rail ferry and fast ferry passengers. The principal exports are products of agiculture, fruit, wine, sulphur and silk. An entrance, over 400m wide, allows easy access and the port is considered sheltered in all weathers. The average depth of the basin (about 100 meters from the docks) is 40 meters. This allows for the access and docking of large ships. The docks are equipped with fixed and mobile cranes, with tracks for railway connections and extend for approx. 1,770 meters. Messina’s Port, which has remained nearly completely untouched over the years, preserving its natural form, is the widest berth in Sicily.
Traffic figures: Approx 8,001,000t of cargo and 9,562,000 passengers (340,000 cruise passengers) handled annually.
Load line zone: Summer.
Max size: LOA 210m, draught 10m, beam no limits.