(ANSA) - TRIESTE, JUL 27 - Despite an international landscape marked by growing geopolitical and trade fragmentation, the Port of Trieste closed the first half of 2026 with a 2.74% increase in total cargo handling, which totaled 29.5 million metric tons compared to the first half of 2025. Combining the results of the ports of Trieste and Monfalcone, the Eastern Adriatic Port System recorded more than 31 million metric tons handled during the first half of the year (+0.67%), consolidating the position of the two ports, which are set to become Italy's leading port system by total volume by 2025, with over 64 million metric tons handled. The trend is not uniform: while liquid bulk cargoes expanded (20.7 million metric tons; +5%, confirming the strategic role of the Port of Trieste as a major energy supply hub for Central and Eastern Europe) and Ro-Ro traffic (163,752 units handled; +5.37%) were offset by declines in container traffic (367,428 TEUs; -3.97%) and rail connections (3,726 trains handled; -8.29%). Turkey remains Italy's leading partner in terms of the volume of goods transported by sea, and the port of Trieste is consolidating its role as a key gateway for Ro-Ro traffic bound for the heart of the continent. Noteworthy, however, is the growth in connections with Hungary (+10.7%) and Luxembourg (+15%), while among the main rail routes, Cologne (+34%) surpassed Budapest to become the port's top destination for the half-year, ahead of Cremona (+18.4%) and Bettembourg (+15%). (ANSA).