The complex network of Logistics, the multiplication of its hubs and spokes, is a privileged vantage point to observe new processes of creation of value and the conflictual forms capable of disturbing the linear, pacified discourse of globalization. In the context of the digital era the dimension of globalization and that of the metropolis pose challenges to our perception of time and space, which increasingly shifts away from an individual dimension. To find it again, we have to go back to the roots of the creation of surplus value and follow its path all the way to the limits in which contradictions and conflicts manifest themselves.

With contributions by Sergio Bologna, Giairo Daghini, Helmut Holzapfel, Barbara Trincone. 

Program

Tuesday 16 February

From the revolution of containers to the digitalization of labor, from reduction of transport costs to the transformation of cities into operative areas of the supply chain, this one-day workshop with multiple speakers concentrates on the global infrastructures that manage networks, information flow and the distribution of goods.

H. 10,00 – 13,00

Sergio Bologna

The creation of surplus value in logistics

Giairo Daghini

Metropolitan flows and individual subjectivities

Helmut Holzapfel

What’s the use? Effects of the production of surplus

Barbara Trincone

Urban freight logistics

H. 15,00

Open Studio

H. 17,00

Conclusions

H. 18,00

Screening of the documentary

Les hommes du port, 1995, 64’ (Switzerland / France)

by AlainTanner

o.v. Italian/French, English subtitles

with Giairo Daghini and Sergio Bologna

Wednesday 17 February

Presentation of the program of visits to infrastructures and professional figures of the port of Genoa, logistics center and terminal of major oceangoing traffic flows: governance, remote traffic control systems, technologies, flexible labor, the port economy and the relationship with the metropolitan city, the view from the sea.

H. 10,00

Open Studio

H. 13,00

Conclusions

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Genoa is the largest port in Italy, the gateway port of northern regions and for south of Europe. It is the final destination of commodities from all around the world, along the global trade lines from Asia, Middle East, US, South America. A faster gateway has been developed by introducing a pre clearing customs model to streamline border procedures, to reduce congestion at ports of entry.

At the same time, Genoa is the spot of the most dense concentration of specialized knowledge on the economics of the sea. On a daily basis skilled, flexible and accurate workforce loads and unloads full-container ships, ro-ro vessels and cruise boats ready to raise the anchor. The port of Genoa is also touched by the high volatility of prices in the global market and the flag convenience practices introduced to reduce operating costs or avoid the regulations of the ship owner’s country. The port of Genoa is also a border, transnational customs, and thus provides infrastructure to enquire the current production of surplus-value.

This field research is set of a number of meetings with shipping agents, forwarders, truck and ship loaders, longshoremen, ship agents, ship operators, vessel traffic systems’ officers to explore the organization of labor and the history of the port economy. This site visit, organized with Sergio Bologna, will focus on and investigate traces of changes of trade and professions impacted by the continuous evolution of technology, construction of giant ships and financial adventurers.

Program

Monday, February 22

9.00 Meeting with Ammiraglio Giovanni Pettorino at the Port Authority headquarters Palazzo San Giorgio

9.30 Visit of Capitaneria di Porto (Harbor Master’s Office)

10.30 Boat tour around the harbor, and the dismantling site of Costa Concordia’s wreck

14.30 Meeting and interviews to shipping agencies’ workers

Tuesday, February 23

10.00 Visit of the Voltri Terminal Europa VTE

13.00 Lunch at the canteen of Compagnia Unica Lavoratori del Porto

14.30 Interviews with Camalli of Genoa’s Port