Port guide · UN/LOCODE IT MSN
Messina, Italy
Italy · 38.20° N, 15.57° E
The World Port Index classes Messina as a coastal harbor sheltered by breakwaters on the Mediterranean Sea. It records a channel depth of 23.2 m and a cargo pier depth of 7.9 m. Norfolk is 7,730 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 23.2 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 7.9 m
- From Norfolk
- 7,730 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Milazzo30 km away
Depths and vessel limits
Of the 23 ports in Italy with guides here, Messina records the deepest channel in the index.
- Channel depth
- 23.2 m
- Anchorage depth
- 11 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 7.9 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 7.9 m
- Tidal range
- 1 m
As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.
Facilities on record
Arrival and entry
Messina is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.
- First port of entry
- Yes
- Pilotage compulsory
- Yes
- Pilotage available
- Yes
- Pilotage advisable
- Yes
- Tug assistance
- Yes
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Excellent
- Entrance restricted by tide
- No
- Entrance restricted by swell
- No
- Entrance restricted by ice
- No
- Overhead limits
- No
Cargo handling
The heaviest lift class recorded is up to 24 tons.
- Wharves
- Yes
- Anchorage
- Yes
- Fixed cranes
- Yes
- Mobile cranes
- Yes
- Floating cranes
- Yes
- Lifts up to 24 tons
- Yes
- Longshore labor
- Yes
- Railway
- Medium
Services and supplies
Repair capability is rated major.
- Repairs
- Major
- Dry dock
- Medium
- Electrical repair
- Yes
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Diesel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Provisions
- Yes
- Deck supplies
- Yes
- Engine supplies
- Yes
- Shore electricity
- Yes
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- Garbage disposal
- Yes
- Dirty ballast disposal
- Yes
- Airport
- Yes
US trade with Italy
- US exports, 2025
- $43.1BLed by organic chemicals
- US imports, 2025
- $74.4BLed by machinery and mechanical appliances
Other ports in Italy
The nearest is Milazzo, 30 km away in a straight line.
- AnconaCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 11 mIT AOI
- BrindisiCargo pier 11 m, channel 14 mIT BDS
- CagliariCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 14 mIT CAG
- CataniaCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 11 mIT CTA
- GenovaCargo pier 14 m, channel 15.5 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkIT GOA
- Gioia TauroCargo pier 15.5 m, channel 17.1 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkIT GIT
- La SpeziaCargo pier 14 m, channel 14 mIT SPE
- LivornoCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 12.5 mIT LIV
- MilazzoCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 9.4 mIT MLZ
- NapoliCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 14 mIT NAP
- Porto Di CorsiniCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 4.9 mIT PCS
- Porto Di Lido-VeneziaCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 11 mIT VCE
- Porto Di PalermoCargo pier 14 m, channel 23.2 mIT PMO
- Portovecchio Di PiombinoCargo pier 11 m, channel 11 mIT PIO
- PozzalloCargo pier 9.4 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkIT PZL
- Rada Di VadoCargo pier 14 m, channel 9.4 mIT VDL
- SalernoCargo pier 11 m, channel 11 mIT SAL
- SavonaCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 9.4 mIT SVN
- SiracusaCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 23.2 mIT SIR
- TarantoCargo pier 15.5 m, channel 14 mIT TAR
- Termini ImereseCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 6.4 mIT TRI
- TrapaniCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 7.9 mIT TPS
- TriesteCargo pier 17.1 m, channel 17.1 mIT TRS
Sources
- US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
- Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
- Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
- Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.