In 2020 the ISTEN project has entered the third and final year of activities and is now focusing on the definition of nine Local Action Plans (LAPs), i.e. detailed planning instruments outlining the main interventions and measures needed to address some of the identified bottlenecks and to foster the integration of the port with its hinterland.

The ITL Foundation as leader of this activity, is coordinating all partners in the elaboration of the specific local action plans, one per each ISTEN site on the basis of a common methodology using the Canvas approach, which has been useful in supporting and summarising the discussions held at local level with the relevant stakeholders.

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Each LAP is centred around one (or more) main measure defined to overcome specific bottlenecks, previously identified in the Local Context Analysis. For each measure, a Canvas table has been developed including key information on: stakeholders involved, aims, key actions, problems, timescale for implementation, risk assessment, funding resources, impact on bottlenecks and main benefits for the implementation of an integrated network of ports and hubs at the regional/national level and international level.

Each action plan is addressing two of the five clusters used for the bottlenecks’ classification. Interventions identified so far in the first draft versions address the following topics:

  • infrastructure (e.g. upgrading the port and railway infrastructures);
  • innovation and technologies (e.g. optimisation and further development of Port Community Systems and ICT solutions for logistics);
  • market (e.g. new commercial agreements and strategies by the commercial stakeholders involved in the maritime and hinterland logistics chain),
  • operations (e.g. working with the other ports and intermodal terminals as a network);
  • institutional framework (e.g. enhanced maritime regulatory system in line with IMO and EU standards and regulations) clusters.

 

Drafts are currently being revised by ITL and MemEx Srl, subcontractor of the activity. Once finalised, they will flow into a Portfolio highlighting the most relevant aspects of each LAP and including a comparative analysis of the common features and main differences.

While Local Action Plans are developed to answer specific needs of the target ports and their hinterland, ISTEN will also elaborate a “Strategic Action Plan for the ADRION Region” in the coming months.

This output aims to be a broader strategy, built on the overall findings of the project activities and that will represent a key element for defining future investments and opportunities to improve the competitiveness of the ADRION region and the integration of the different nodes of the logistic chain.