Overseas
The third day of the XXXIV Rassegna del Mare, promoted by Mareamico under the patronage of the Senate of the Republic, the Chamber of Deputies, and the Ministry of Tourism, brought together experts, academics, and institutions at the Chiostro di San Domenico to discuss two strategic themes for the future of Southern Italy and the Mediterranean: offshore renewable energy and cruise tourism.
The morning opened with the roundtable “Clean Energy from Offshore Renewable Sources: An Incredible Opportunity to Create New Jobs in Southern Italy,” moderated by Domenico Coiro (University of Naples Federico II). Speakers included Roberto Bardari and Aurelio Caligiore (MASE – Environmental Impact Commission), Leonardo Damiani (Polytechnic University of Bari), Antonio Mazzola (University of Palermo), Marco Marcelli (University of Tuscia), Fabio Filianoti (Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria), Alessandro Corsini (Sapienza University of Rome – OWEMES), Alberto Basset (University of Salento), as well as representatives from TERNA, Edison, and other key companies in the sector.
The debate highlighted the need to create “energy corridors” that would connect the country and make investments in offshore wind power truly effective. In Sicily alone, projections indicate the creation of over 6,600 full-time jobs during the construction phase of offshore wind farms, and about 680 positions for their operation over the following 25 years.
Speakers emphasized regulatory and infrastructure challenges, the absence of a specific legal framework, the need for equipped ports, and centralized marine spatial governance. Special attention was given to environmental monitoring, advocating for advanced technologies such as acoustic telemetry to assess the impact on marine ecosystems.
Offshore wind power emerged as a strategic resource for ecological transition, capable of generating clean energy while supporting the development of an Italian industrial supply chain with substantial employment and territorial benefits.
Cruise tourism and blue economy: integrating sustainability and growth
In the afternoon, the roundtable “Cruise Tourism, Port Development, and Blue Economy” explored the potential of maritime tourism as a driver of sustainable economic growth.
Moderated by Leonardo Damiani and Jean Louis Moretti (Corsica Tourism Director), the panel included Natale Amoroso (Ittiturismo La Tramontana), Salvatore Braschi (Confcooperative Trapani), Fabio Croccolo (Ministry of Transport), Giovanni Cucchiara (Sicilian Region), Stefania Frandi (AIDIM), Piergiorgio Manciola (University of Perugia), Giulia Motta Zanin and Alessandra Saponieri (University of Salento), Cristina Pozzi (University of Parma), and Stefano Soriani (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice).
Cruise tourism was analyzed as both an economic and cultural lever, with a focus on fishing tourism in the Egadi Islands, urban regeneration in Trapani, and the logistical and environmental challenges facing Mediterranean ports.
Significant data was presented: in 2017, the Mediterranean hosted 30% of global tourism, welcoming 24 million cruise passengers across 36 major ports.
The Venice case offered insights into the environmental and social implications of cruise traffic, while Chioggia emerged as a model for sustainable luxury cruises.
Speakers stressed the importance of strategic planning integrating tourism, logistics, and sustainability, fostering a blue economy supply chain capable of generating qualified employment and regional development.
Promoting Mediterranean gastronomy and culture
The day concluded with “A scuola di cucina” (Cooking School), a show cooking session dedicated to the gastronomic valorization of lesser-known fish species, organized in collaboration with the Sicilian Region – Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Mediterranean Fisheries.
The XXXIV Rassegna del Mare once again confirmed its role as a hub for dialogue and innovation, where science, business, and institutions collaborate to build a sustainable future for the Mediterranean.
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