Maritime and Port Law

The development of rail and port infrastructures is part of the third mission of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), which aims, by 2026, at rendering the infrastructure system more modern, digital and sustainable, and able to meet the decarbonization challenge set by the European Union in the context of the European Green Deal.

Projects relating to ports, which will be implemented with the support of both the PNRR and national funds (e.g., the complementary fund), are specifically aimed at guaranteeing intermodality with the major European lines of communication, developing connections with oceanic and inter-Mediterranean traffic, increasing the dynamism and competitiveness of the Italian port system, with a view to reducing climate change emissions.

In practical terms, the implementation of these interventions and actions will take place through public tenders for infrastructure works, or through recourse to Project Finance and PPP.

Our professionals have a recognized expertise in this field, and have also played leading roles in public bodies which have developed major initiatives in the arena of port infrastructure works and last mile railway links (namely the Port System Authority), and had experiences in EU institutions.

In the maritime and ports sector, BridgeLaw provides assistance to its clients, also in court, with reference, amongst others, to:

• tenders for work contracts pertaining to the realization of infrastructural works, drafting of works and services contracts, works’ maintenance and management contracts
• public procedures (in accordance with the Navigation Code and Law 84/94 on the reorganization of port legislation) regarding the awarding of state-owned maritime concessions, as well as the performance of the activities covered by such concessions, including application of golden powers’ regulation
• public procurement procedures, based on the Public Contracts Code, relating to the awarding of service and supply concessions in the port area, including the provision of technical services
• construction, operation, authorization and management of port, rail and road infrastructure works
• contracts for maritime transport and bills of lading
• litigation relating to maritime transportation, maritime accidents, ships’ seizure and damages to persons or goods during air or maritime transportation
• resolution of disputes relating to public works, both during the execution of the contract (when applicable, through Technical Advisory Board) and during litigation before administrative justice bodies, as well as national and international arbitration.