HHLA PLT Italy and Maersk have launched a new weekly shuttle service to the Port of Trieste, as announced in HHLA's recent release. The inaugural vessel for the E17 service arrived at the terminal during the week of April 4, 2025. This new maritime route connects Port Said, Trieste, and Venice, expanding the Mediterranean logistics network and strengthening the Port of Trieste's position in the region.

The service operates with Nora Maersk, Maersk Valletta, and Maersk Valparaíso. Trieste is the first port of call after Egypt, enhancing the terminal's capacity to handle reefer cargo, including fruits and vegetables destined for Central and Eastern European markets. HHLA PLT Italy has invested in its cold chain logistics infrastructure and intends to expand its reefer services further to meet the growing demand in this sector.

The terminal includes a Border Inspection Point that allows for sanitary and veterinary inspections of imported cargo, improving operational efficiency. Additionally, the E17 service incorporates transhipment operations, with some containers transferred via feeder service on barges to Ancona and Ravenna, which improves distribution along the Adriatic coast. This logistics approach aims to enhance market connectivity, reduce transit times, and strengthen supply chain resilience in the Eastern Mediterranean.

HHLA PLT Italy is a subsidiary of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), the German logistics and port operator based in Hamburg. The company manages a multipurpose terminal at the Port of Trieste in Italy, located in the northern Adriatic Sea. Since becoming operational in 2021, the terminal has served as a gateway for trade between Europe and the Mediterranean, focusing on container handling, general cargo, and logistics services. HHLA PLT Italy is part of HHLA's broader network, which includes terminals in Hamburg, Odessa, and Tallinn, along with intermodal and real estate operations.