In opening the Shipping and the Law conference in Naples, Italy, a regional minister has stressed local efforts to attract maritime investment.

Amedeo Lepore, minister for manufacturing and commerce for the Campania region, inaugurated the conference on Oct. 15.

Campania is working to create new opportunities including special economic zones, starting with Salerno port, said Lepore.

"The president has been appointed to create the best conditions so that the port becomes the avant-garde of our region," he added.

Campania wants to enable shipping and the maritime legal business to create a "new peaceful climate" and overcome its economic challenges, the minister said.