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The New Genoa Breakwater Project

The New Genoa Breakwater is a globally speaking one-of-a-kind work, for its engineering complexity and dimensions, but also because it is built offshore, fully at sea, without the need to interrupt port activities. It will rest on the seabed at a 50-metre depth, one of the deepest worldwide for breakwaters, developing, in total, over a 6.2 km line.

The new infrastructure sets itself apart for the innovative technology used in the project and for the attention placed on sustainability, ensured by systems aimed at maximising circular economy, while also foreseeing the possibility of reusing and transforming inert materials.

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The New Genoa Breakwater, one of the deepest worldwide for breakwaters
PROJECT UPDATES
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February 18, 2025 – A seventh caisson has been installed for Genoa’s new breakwater. PerGenova breakwater consortium has deployed a workforce of around 450 employees across multiple fronts

Around 450 people, including 150 working directly at sea, are engaged on multiple fronts in the construction of Genoa’s new breakwater. Despite challenging weather conditions, the seventh caisson has now been installed. This key infrastructure project, crucial for the future of the Ligurian capital’s port, is being carried out by the PerGenova Breakwater consortium, led by Webuild on behalf of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority.

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January 18, 2025 – New Genoa Breakwater: sixth caisson installation now completed.

Winter doesn't stops the construction site off the coast of Genoa. The work continues without interruption! Work in progress for the construction of the New Breakwater, the largest intervention to strengthen Italian ports and the deepest dam in Europe.

Pergenova breakwater consortium: work moving ahead on all fronts tronds barge to begin operations on largest caissons soon breakwater caissons are solid and safe, no need to rebuild

Genoa, May 11, 2025 – Construction work on the new Genoa Breakwater, led by the Per Genova Breakwater Consortium, is moving ahead quickly with strong results that highlight the project's technical and organizational strength. The consortium confirms that the caissons that have already been laid are structurally solid and safe, and that there is no need to rebuild them.

By mid-June, the Tronds Barge 33, a massive barge specially designed for building the largest caissons, will begin operations. These caissons measure 33 metres in height and 65 metres in length. The launch will follow the completion of cutting-edge concrete batching systems currently being installed. Once operational, the systems will be capable of producing up to 3,000 cubic meters of concrete per day, running continuously over a 24-hour cycle. This represents a major step forward in improving both the speed and efficiency of construction, allowing 2-3 caissons to be built every month.

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The largest upgrading intervention for the Ligurian port area in the last 25 years

The new breakwater will enlarge transit and manoeuvring areas for ships inside the port, so that it can welcome a greater number of ships, becoming an infrastructure capable of allowing the Ligurian system and Italy to grow in competitiveness. This project will positively impact Genoa, its port, and the whole of Italy. It will create growth from when it is first built: in fact, 1,000 people will be newly employed for the work (directly and indirectly hired).. The work has been commissioned by the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority, and belongs to the Extraordinary Programme to relaunch the Port of Genoa.

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The New Genoa Breakwater Project in 3D
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La Nuova Diga Foranea di Genova, la più profonda d'Europa, spiegata da Geopop

The Consortium

“Pergenova Breakwater” is the Consortium that won the project to build the New Genoa Breakwater.

The Consortium is made from: