Agrigento ports, the new frontier of the Mediterranean: the plan for Porto Empedocle, Licata, and Sciacca

"The port terminals of the Agrigento coast represent a strategic frontier towards the Mediterranean and African markets, with still very wide margins for development". This is stated by Annalisa Tardino, commissioner of the Port System Authority of Western Sicily. We prompted her, six months after taking office, to focus on the activities carried out, particularly regarding the ports of Licata, Porto Empedocle, and Sciacca.

Porto Empedocle

The Port Authority is managing the transformation process of the port, with the advancement of the design of the cruise terminal on the Crispi pier and the upgrading of the docks. Also planned are redevelopment works for the road network with the renewal of paved surfaces, street furniture, and public lighting. The electrification of the docks project is included in the context of interventions related to the Pnrr and consists of making available, at the docks, some connection points for the electrical supply of ships docked in the port.

Licata

In 2025, the redevelopment interventions, the completion of the docks, the improvement of the backport road network, and the enhancement of the urban waterfront progressed, with particular attention to the recovery of historic buildings, such as the fish market on the Marianello dock. "The project – says Tardino - includes the redevelopment to recover the building, adapting it to new functions that meet the current needs of the city and the port, while maintaining part of the fish market will preserve the tradition and historical link of the city with fishing activities. Other strategic uses will be added to these functions. In fact, spaces for offices intended for the port authority and the harbor master’s office will be created, which will be responsible for managing and monitoring activities related to the port, strengthening their operational and administrative role in managing the port infrastructure. In addition, offices for the Usmaf (Office of Maritime, Air and Border Health) will be established, which will play a crucial role in ensuring the health control of goods and the safety of port operations". To improve accessibility and encourage the use of the facility, the project also includes the creation of a bar-cafeteria area.

Sciacca

For Sciacca, 2025 represented the first year of full integration into the port system of western Sicily. The focus has been on securing the infrastructure and enhancing the tourist and fishing vocation of the port, but it is still early for a defined program. City authorities have requested valid support to reopen the site of the dock expansion, which has been stalled for over two years due to a dispute between the Sicilian Region and the contracting company.

The cruise system

The ports of Porto Empedocle and Licata lag behind the historic destinations of Palermo and Trapani: in Porto Empedocle, 3,917 cruise passengers and 30 “calls” were recorded in 2025, while in Licata there were 136 and 2. “In the next three years – says Tardino - the logic of integration between Palermo, Termini Imerese, Trapani, Porto Empedocle, Gela, Licata, and Sciacca will further strengthen, configuring a single multipurpose logistics platform capable of distributing functions and specializations in a complementary manner”.