The port of Trapani was born as an ancient commercial outlet for Eryx (today Erice), located on the mountain overlooking Trapani. In ancient times it was used by Phoenicians, Carthaginians (founders of the city of Trapani), Greeks, Romans and later by the Arabs. After the arrival in Sicily of the Normans the port had great ferment, also thanks to the crusades. In the nineteenth century, instead, it became an important base for the commercial fleet for the traffic of salt to northern Europe and Marsala wine.

Also during the Second World War it had an important role, as it became a military port and submarine base of primary importance (base of the VIII Group). 
Its barycentric position is still fundamental today. It in fact is a potential point of joint is for the development of the short sea shipping that for the commercial traffics of general cargo, containerized and not. 

In recent years it can be considered Trapani as a port "in the center of the center", thanks to a position equidistant from the Suez Canal and the Strait of Gibraltar.
Moreover, it has an indissoluble link with the city and with its historic centre, for historical, cultural and geographical reasons. As Trapani, nicknamed the "port city", was born and developed around its port, since ancient times.

In the following centuries the city expanded all around, but always projected towards the main port.