The Final Event of the Pass4Core project [Parking Areas implementing Safety and Security FOR (4) CORE network corridors in Italy] took place today at Cargo City, Milano Malpensa airport. This project, co-financed by the European Commission’s CEF-Transport program, aims to develop safe parking areas in Italy. The objective of this first initiative is to certify 1,357 parking spaces by 2025, with an additional 2,500 spaces planned across two other initiatives.
As a strategic project for logistics, PASS4CORE is part of a broader strategy to enhance the European transport network by providing safe and well-organized areas along key corridors. This initiative not only improves the quality of services offered to truck drivers but also supports the economic and logistical development of the surrounding area.
In the presence of Attilio Fontana, Governor of Lombardy; Armando Brunini, CEO of SEA Milan Airports; Alberto Milotti, Project Coordinator for PASS4CORE at Consorzio ZAI; and Tea Krizan, Project Adviser at CINEA, the new secure parking area for heavy vehicles at Malpensa was inaugurated. The facility aims to improve safety and services in Cargo City.
With the construction of the first secure airport parking area, SEA Milan Airports has committed, alongside numerous partners, to sustainability and safety. Coordinated by Consorzio ZAI, the project involves a total investment of €27.5 million, with €5.5 million contributed by the European Union.
Located in a strategic position, as Malpensa is one of Italy’s main logistics hubs, the parking area spans approximately 63,000 square meters, of which 32,000 square meters are dedicated to parking with 154 spaces for heavy vehicles. Access is controlled through entry and exit gates equipped with advanced monitoring systems to ensure safety for drivers and vehicles. A powerful LED lighting system enhances security further.
The facility includes nine spaces with electric charging stations for refrigerated vehicles and an 800-square-meter single-story building featuring a panoramic terrace with views of the Alps. This building offers amenities such as restrooms, showers, a security office, a seating area with a cafeteria, and a relaxation zone.
The project started in June 2023 with preliminary works and tendering procedures. Construction began in April 2024 and was recently completed.
“Secure and protected parking areas for heavy vehicles are becoming available along Italy’s road network thanks to the PASS4CORE initiative. Two projects are supported by the European Commission with €11.5 million from the Connecting Europe Facility program. As a result, several secure and protected parking areas are already available, and by mid-2025, 24 guarded and secure parking areas will be accessible for truck drivers, creating a comprehensive network of safe stops. The digital platform developed as part of PASS4CORE simplifies access to all secure parking areas in Italy,” stated Tea Krizan, Project Adviser at CINEA. “Safety is central to the EU’s road transport policies, and certified safe and secure parking areas are key components. In this context, PASS4CORE contributes to achieving important EU goals: improving driver well-being, reducing road accidents caused by fatigue, and mitigating freight-related crimes and damages.”
“As Consorzio ZAI and as the Union of Italian Inland Ports, we are proud to have contributed to this multi-year initiative aimed at increasing safety for drivers and goods in our country. Above all, we are pleased to have given a social dimension to the road transport sector, often unfairly blamed as the main obstacle to sustainable freight transport,” said Alberto Milotti, Marketing and Development Manager at Consorzio ZAI and PASS4CORE Project Coordinator.
During the event, the strong synergy between PASS4CORE and the Malpensa H2 project was highlighted. The new green hydrogen refueling station, to be built by Edison Next near the secure parking area for heavy vehicles at Malpensa, will feature state-of-the-art technologies for on-site production and supply of green hydrogen.
Benefiting from PNRR funds for its construction, this plant will serve as a strategic hub for the promotion of green hydrogen along key European transport corridors, positioning Malpensa as a cutting-edge airport for sustainable mobility.
