Interview in Trieste: "No alternative to Zeno D’Agostino"
At the beginning of June, the president of the Eastern Adriatic Port System in Trieste (Italy), who had been in office since November 2016, was removed and Mario Sommariva was appointed acting head. He explained to ITJ reporter Kerstin Kloss why he wants to return the post later this month.
ITJ: How do you explain to your foreign partners what happened?
Mario Sommariva: The anti-corruption agency Anac has misinterpreted a law on the compatibility of various public tasks. I want to make it clear that it has nothing to do with corruption, but with bureaucracy.
Zeno D’Agostino was honorary president of the cruise terminal operator company in Trieste, of which 40% of shares are owned by the port administration - with no attributed powers. This task was not in conflict with his role as port president, in our opinion. The Anac takes the position that he should not have been appointed port president. The strange thing is that all of this happened five years ago, but it only comes into effect five months before D’Agostino's mandate ends.
ITJ: Do you have an explanation for why the port president had to leave especially during the corona crisis, which was a particularly difficult period for Italy?
Sommariva: I have no explanation for this, but I trust the judiciary. The administrative court will deal with the case in June and I am confident that D’Agostino can return to his post.
ITJ: How realistic is D'Agostino's return to his post?
Sommariva: We'll win in court. Both D’Agostino personally and the port administration each filed a lawsuit with the administrative court in Rome. As soon as the court has suspended Anac's on 24 June, D’Agostino will come back immediately on 25 June.
ITJ: What is the position of transport minister Paola de Micheli?
Sommariva: She is clearly on our side. My appointment emphasises the confidence in D'Agostino's work over the past five years. By these measures, she recognises his abilities, his sincerity and his vision.
ITJ: Wouldn't you be the ideal new port president with your deep knowledge of the logistics sector?
Sommariva: No, no, no - there is no alternative to D’Agostino. I am the secretary general and, as acting director, I am now in charge of maintaining port operations until D’Agostino comes back. My personal role is not important. D’Agostino and I have a joint project to develop this port and the port area. Our job is to create new jobs, innovations and new opportunities for young people. As long as I have strength and energy, I support this project. That's all.
ITJ: What important projects do you want to implement?
Sommariva: We have three important infrastructure development projects. First, the Arvedi Group's Servola steel factory is to be closed and likely to be developed into a container terminal. Secondly, the site of a former oil factory is to be rededicated as a multi-purpose terminal. Thirdly, the old port of Trieste will be used for cruise ships as soon as corona allows it.
ITJ: Does D’Agostino's removal have a negative impact on Italy's ports as a whole?
Sommariva: This is currently having a negative impact on the Italian port system because it is difficult to understand what is happening abroad. That is why all ports in Italy support us in solidarity, including the industry associations.
About Mario Sommariva
Mario Sommariva is a native of Genoa with more than 40 years of experience in shipping, ports and logistics. Amongst others, he worked in various positions at the Filt Cgil transport union. Before becoming secretary general of the Eastern Adriatic Port System in Trieste in April 2015, he held a comparable position in the port of Bari for eight years.