The Colossus of the Abyss

In the open blue of the Ligurian Sea, where currents and winds dictate the rules, cutting-edge Italian engineering is accomplishing the country’s most ambitious offshore feat. It is not just a matter of stemming the force of the waves, but of flinging open the gates of the Port of Genoa to the new era of global commerce. The New Breakwater is a barrier conceived for an essential strategic objective: to redesign the basin’s internal spaces, offering an 800-meter maneuvering radius and a 300-meter-wide access channel to allow the safe entry and docking of gigantic, next-generation vessels.

The controlled sinking of the caissons—gigantic concrete structures as tall as ten-story buildings—proceeds with millimetric accuracy beneath a surface up to 50 meters deep, constantly monitored by digital sensors.

Facts & Figures

A record-breaking work:With its total length of approximately 6 kilometers and foundations reaching depths of 50 meters, it stands as the deepest breakwater in Europe and the largest historical intervention ever undertaken to upgrade Italian port infrastructure.

The milestone of the 100 colossi:The project in its entirety involves the construction and placement of over 100 concrete caissons.

Room for the titans of the sea:The project will create an internal turning basin of 800 meters and a new access channel over 300 meters wide, guaranteeing the necessary maneuvering and docking space for ultra-large NeoPanamax ships and container vessels over 400 meters long and 60 meters wide, as well as World Class cruise ships.

Invisible foundations:Over 58,000 gravel columns have been constructed on the seabed—vital load-bearing structures reaching depths of up to 50.