The Italian government has taken steps to protect the historic center of Venice from the potential damage that cruise liners can cause.
A Reuters article explains that the proposal was adopted on March 31, 2021 and requires the construction of a ship terminal outside the lagoon near the famous St. Mark’s Square for all passenger ships with a displacement of more than 40,000 tons, as well as container vessels.
This decision was not spontaneous. The people of Venice, like the government itself, have insisted on this issue for years. The last straw that helped the government adopt the new ban was in 2019, when a cruise ship collided with a dock and a cruise boat on the Judecca Canal, injuring several people.
In the foreseeable future, these large ships should be moored in the port of Marghera. According to a USA Today article, the North Adriatic port administration will hold a competition to find the best sustainable option for preserving Venice’s cultural heritage while building a port terminal.
In the near future, these large ships should be moored at the port of Marguerite. According to a USA Today article, the North Adriatic Port Authority will hold a competition to find the best sustainable way to preserve Venice’s cultural heritage while allowing the construction of a port terminal.
Venice is one of the most popular tourist areas in Italy, receiving up to 25 million visitors annually. However, over the past year, the number of tourists has decreased significantly, as has the number of large passenger ships.