It is considered a modern port since the 18th Century when the Austrian emperor – when the city of Trieste were subjected to – realized that creating a great Austrian port into the Adriatic sea would be of great utility and prestige to his empire, since the Turkish threat had disappeared and there was a progressive weakening of the Republic of Venice.

The real ”beginning” of the port of Trieste started during the reign of Maria Theresa of Austria who, with her unquestionable charismatic and organizational qualities, put into force her father’s brilliant and pragmatic measures. She gave a great vitality to the commercial traffics of the Empire where Trieste was going to become the first commercial port.

Increasing attention of the central government towards the city of Trieste, the foundation of the Austrian Lloyd merchant shipping line with its entirely dedicated Arsenal, the building of refinery in San Saba and of Ferriera in Servola with relevant docks, modern and efficient railways connections, and last but not least, the opening of the Suez canal,  allowed the city of Trieste to reach its maximum splendor and prosperity during the last decade of the 20th century. Around 1900 they decided to enlarge the port area starting building the actual Free port of Trieste.

Another important site is the marine terminal of the Transalpine Pipeline who has an important naval traffic and where, from 1967, about five hundred huge oil tankers have been arriving yearly.