Anniversary | On the day marking the first anniversary of the passing of Cristoforo Rino Canavese, a prominent figure in the development of the port of Savona, a commemorative ceremony was held on Tuesday with the participation of key local institutions and the port community. The event took place at the Palacrociere in Savona, where a plaque was unveiled in his memory, recognising Canavese’s role in the infrastructural and economic growth of the Ligurian port.
The hydraulic civil engineer, specialised in maritime construction, joined the Autonomous Port Authority of Savona in 1976 and oversaw its development for over twenty years. From 2004 to 2012, he served as President of the Port Authority of Savona, and later became a member of the Management Committee of the Western Ligurian Sea Port System Authority, contributing to the integration of the regional port system. Among his most significant initiatives are the creation of the cruise terminal, which transformed the relationship between the port and the city, and the design of the multipurpose platform at Vado Ligure, now one of the most advanced container infrastructures in the Mediterranean. Canavese also promoted rail intermodality as a strategic element for the port’s competitiveness.
At the commemoration, in addition to institutional representatives — including the Port System Authority, local mayors, the Province of Savona, and the Harbour Master’s Office — port operators, representatives of the economic sector, and trade associations took part, emphasising the shared recognition of Canavese’s contribution. The ceremony was opened with a Mass officiated by the Vicar General Don Camillo Podda and Deacon Salvatore D’Angelo.
The President of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority (Ports of Genoa), Matteo Paroli, remarked: “In recent months, I have come to understand his stature through the projects he envisioned and realised, projects that have transformed the ports of Savona and Vado into modern, tangible realities, deeply integrated with the local area.” Paroli also highlighted how Canavese had “won twice: as a public administrator, leaving behind visible infrastructure for all, and as a man of institutions, remembered with respect and gratitude by his community.”
From the private sector, Roberto Ferrarini, Vice President Terminal & Port Management at Costa Crociere, described Canavese as “a fundamental point of reference and an extraordinary driving force” for the port community, emphasising how the model shared with him serves as an example at an international level.
Among the family members present at the ceremony were his wife Franca, his son Luca with his daughter-in-law and granddaughter Meiko, along with numerous colleagues who worked with Canavese over the years.
The Mayor of Savona, Marco Russo, recalled the commitment of the local community to keeping the memory of Canavese alive, emphasising how “the unity of the area has remained strong and the determination to carry forward the projects is unchanged.” Russo also stated that the dedication of the Cruise Terminal “symbolises the mark that Rino has left indelibly on the port of Savona.”
(effe / Red. Corsara)
