ARTICLE PUBLISHED ON 08/08/2025 BYSHIP2SHORE
“That great genius of my friend, he’d know what to do… Yes, to travel…”
And to make goods travel smoothly, “without tearing the engine apart”…
In the lyrics of a famous song by Lucio Battisti, with a touch of romanticism not lost on its creators, we can perhaps find the inspiration that led to the creation of PortaleGenio, “a new portal that outlines intermodality in Italy and Europe in a completely new way.”
The tribute to an undisputed pioneer of combined transport in Italy, Eugenio Muzio, who passed away in May 2022 at the age of 78, is clear and intentional. Muzio was a brilliant Genoese engineer, widely recognized as an innovator and promoter of intermodality in Italy thanks to his early leadership in CEMAT SpA, the national company for combined land transport founded in 1953 under the auspices of the former State Railways. Muzio joined CEMAT in 1976 as General Manager and led it for nearly 30 years.
The homage is evident even in the brand name itself: “PortaleGenio” recalls his first name, his “genius” (as evoked by the song), and the European territory in which this platform operates, aimed at supporting final users in the logistics and transport sectors.
“PortaleGenio was created as a representative and informative tool for intermodal transport in Europe, designed for companies that are still unfamiliar with intermodality, as well as for those already using it. Through this platform, they can better explore its potential – for example, through journey simulations, searching for alternative routes, and more,” explains Stefano Ronca, owner of Geo Center snc in Verona for over 22 years and formerly the commercial representative of the same company, founded by Umberto Ronca in 1984.
“The heart of the platform is an app that presents European intermodality: structures, connections (rail and ro-ro), operators, and companies. Unlike other tools, even recently developed ones that are mostly rail-focused, PortaleGenio also broadens its focus to include air transport and customs services. In addition to the app, which contains a large volume of information on the intermodal network, our tool offers users a cartographic representation of the network, a technical help desk, a blog, and more,” continues Ronca, an industrial technician, geographer, and registered freight forwarder from Verona.
Another key feature of PortaleGenio is the opportunity it provides for companies to be visible within the platform: over 1,000 businesses are already included and are searchable by their operational context.
“This approach promotes B2B connections and gives companies direct visibility. As many already know, this platform was born in collaboration with the late Engineer Eugenio Muzio. Today, contributing with the same passion and in his father’s name is his son, Engineer Davide Muzio, who continues his professional role in the company while embracing his father’s legacy,” adds Ronca.
Recently, Ronca also launched a thought-provoking discussion on “how to calculate external costs in freight transport – an industry fundamental to the global economy, but one that generates significant externalities such as greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, road congestion, and accidents. Understanding and calculating these costs is essential for developing more sustainable and efficient transport strategies.”
Ronca closes with a clear call to action aimed at readers and potential partners, suggesting a collaborative opportunity to grow this ambitious tool:
“Do you have questions about intermodal solutions for your freight? Contact us and we’ll respond as soon as possible. Our website was created to offer innovative tools, a wealth of information, and support for those operating in or approaching intermodality – a strategic solution for reducing costs, optimizing travel times, and cutting CO₂ emissions. The sector is evolving rapidly, and with new EU directives, it is increasingly urgent for transport companies to adapt and innovate. Intermodal infrastructures offer connection possibilities that many businesses have yet to fully leverage. PortaleGenio provides quick, intuitive access to all the essential information for navigating the world of intermodality, with practical tools and updated resources.”
Following this vision of giving voice to sector players, the first interview was published just a few days ago with Fabrizio Panella, owner of SP Trans Srl, a Verona-based customs broker specialized in customs transportation, who relies on a dedicated combined transport carrier to support the development of intermodal logistics.
— by Angelo Scorza
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