The shipping platform

Location: Gela is situated in the Gulf of Gela on the S coast of Sicily, around 30 miles NW of Marina di Ragusa and 20 miles E of Licata in Sicily. General overview: Gela is divided into two port zones with the outer zone known as Porto Isola (37°03'N 014°1'E) handling mainly tankers and general cargo, and Porto Rifugio (37°04'N 014°1'E), which fronts the shore at the NE end of the town of Gela and is used by leisure craft. At Porto Isola, a jetty of 2.8km extends seawards to the SW and has two berths (East and West) at its head. Each berth is 180m in length with a maximum draught of 9.2m. The jetty is protected by a breakwater which is 1.2km in length and is equipped to handle tankers at six berths, currently not in use. Facilities include diesel oil at Berths No 1, 2 and 4 and fresh water at all berths. Tidal streams and subsequent silting expose the berths to depth reductions. The marina facility offers 120 berths for boats up to 20 metres and a maximum draft of 4.5 metres. Maximum length is 20 metres. Traffic figures: Approx 700 vessels handled annually. Load line zone: Summer. Max size: -CBM: Max LOA 280m, draught 12.8m, 178,500t displacement. -Main Pier (East): LOA 185m, draught 9.0m, 41,000t displacement.