The Council of Ministers issued an emergency decree on Tuesday prohibiting ships over 25,000 tons from passing through the San Marco basin, the San Marco Canal and the Giudecca Canal from August 1st to 'protect Venice's environmental, artistic and cultural heritage, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO'.
The affected vessels are those with a length greater than 180 m, with the exception of vessels with mixed propulsion with sail motor; and fuel that produces polluting emissions with a sulfur content equal to or greater than 0.1%.
The decree establishes compensation for cruise operators, companies that have contracts for hiring local activities, and workers in navigation and logistics departments related to the transit of ships on urban waterways, among others.
At the suggestion of the President of the Council, Mario Draghi, the Minister of Sustainable Infrastructure and Mobility, and the Minister of Culture and Tourism, the ban is included in a decree containing provisions to guarantee the integrity of waterways declared national monuments.
The government was keen to expedite a decision already made, with the call for tenders for the construction of external landings, to avoid the very real risk of the city being included on UNESCO's list of endangered World Heritage sites.
As part of the decision, funds will be provided for an alternative, albeit temporary, solution in the lagoon in the port area of Marghera, prior to a long-term solution located outside the lagoon.
The president of the North Adriatic Sea Port System Authority has been appointed to oversee the design, allocation, and execution of the works. An ideas competition will identify the best structural solution for the berths outside the lagoon, reconciling the need to protect heritage with the economic and social development of the entire area.
Nearby ports that could offer alternatives for cruise lines operating larger vessels include Trieste and Ravenna.
Visits to Venice will continue to be part of cruise itineraries.
