Italy to Build One of the World’s Deepest Dams: €1.3 Billion Investment Set to Boost Maritime Trade Opportunities

A New Strategic Infrastructure in Italy: The Genoa Offshore Dam

A groundbreaking infrastructure project is set to take shape in Italy, promising significant economic benefits for the entire country.
This unique construction is the Genoa offshore dam, a one-of-a-kind venture renowned for its complexity and standing as the largest enhancement of Italy’s port facilities ever undertaken.

Once completed, the dam will etch its name in the annals of world records as one of the deepest dams globally.
This ambitious project requires an investment of 1.3 billion euros and is poised to elevate Genoa’s status as a vital trade hub in Europe.
The dam will facilitate the entry of massive container ships over 400 meters long and 60 meters wide, along with “World Class” cruise ships.

Upon its completion, Genoa will rival leading European ports, benefiting from its strategic geographical location at the crossroads between Asia and the Americas.
Due to its proximity to major Asian ports, Genoa is in a unique position to gain a competitive edge.
Let’s delve deeper into the construction of the Genoa offshore dam.

The Engineering Marvel of the Genoa Offshore Dam

The Genoa offshore dam represents one of Italy’s paramount engineering challenges, with the project entrusted to Webuild and slated for a 1.3 billion euro investment.
The construction will unfold in two phases: the first phase, expected to be complete by 2026, will introduce a new 300-meter wide entrance, providing ample maneuvering space for vessels.
The second phase, targeted for completion in 2030, will expand the Sampierdarena channel to a width of 400 meters, enhancing the operational capabilities of the historic terminals.

The dam’s foundation will rest on a seabed at a depth of 50 meters, ultimately extending about 6,000 meters in length.
The dam structure will consist of modular segments featuring approximately 90 cellular boxes, each measuring up to 33 meters in height, 35 meters in width, and 67 meters in length.

These massive, reinforced concrete boxes will be assembled on the seabed, positioned side by side to form the dam’s base.
The construction is particularly complex, involving about 20 days of labor and 50 workers for each box, crafted directly at sea.
To ensure stability, the seabed will be reinforced with 70,000 gravel columns ranging from 7 to 12 meters long.
This will utilize 7 million tons of rocky materials, partly sourced from the dismantling of the existing dam as part of a circular economy initiative.

Upon completion of this remarkable engineering endeavor, the port of Genoa will emerge as a coveted hub, enhancing its logistical, commercial, and tourism-related stature—yielding substantial benefits not just for Genoa but for the entire nation.

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