The Italian government has decided to ban large cruise ships through part of the Venice lagoon. The government announced on Tuesday evening in Rome that the measure applies to cruise ships with more than 25,000 gross registered tons or a length of more than 180 meters or more than 35 meters in height.
From August 1st, cruise ships will no longer travel through the Canale della Giudecca, the Bacino di San Marco (St. Mark’s Basin) and the Canale di San Marco in the historic center. The dpa had initially reported that the ban applied to the lagoon, in fact only parts of it are affected.
Sustainable ships can continue to pass
The ban also applies to pots that exceed certain emission standards. Ships that are considered sustainable or did not fall under the criteria for the ban should continue to pass, it said. It could be about cruise ships with a size of around 200 passengers. The government said it was an important step in protecting the Venetian lagoon.
Activists, locals and the tourism industry have been fighting over the cruisers in the lagoon for years. It has several small strips of land and islands and is largely separated from the open sea. There is also the historic old town of Venice with its tourist attractions. According to critics, the giant ships destroy the lagoon, damage the foundations of the city and pollute the air. Cruise tourism also brings little economic benefits to the city because passengers do not sleep there and often only spend little money.
Cruise Association thinks ban is “not bad news”
The association of cruise lines told the German press agency on Tuesday evening that the ban was “not bad news”. In any case, industry would not have placed a priority on Venice this year. Now you have a little more planning security, as the port in Marghera, which is on the mainland and not in the historic center of Venice and where container ships are currently docking, should serve as a temporary dock for the transition.
The infrastructure ministry announced in the evening that 157 million euros should be made available in investments for the jetties in Marghera. Minister Enrico Giovannini said it was an inevitable step to protect the environment, landscape, art and culture of Venice.
At the same time, the port is looking for a solution for the future
However, this is a temporary solution. At the same time, the port of Venice is looking for berthing suggestions outside the lagoon for the future, so that the ships no longer go through the Canale della Giudecca, past the famous St.
Ideas can be presented until December 31, 2021, from which a five-person panel of experts will select the three best. For this purpose, feasibility plans are to be developed by December 31, 2022. The winning project should be determined by June 30, 2023. The infrastructure ministry wants to provide 2.2 million euros for this.
The big shock came a few weeks ago
The big shock came a few weeks ago when Unesco experts suggested putting Venice on a negative list, among other things because of the cruise giants. For example, she had asked for the ships to be diverted to more suitable ports in the area. The United Nations cultural authority wants to make a decision on this from mid-July. Venice and its lagoon have been Unesco World Heritage since 1987. The label can be used well for tourism for income from the local economy.
Cruise operations were suspended for months due to the corona pandemic. It was only recently that large pots that could theoretically transport a few thousand people have been leaving Venice again. At the beginning of June, after a year and a half, the first cruise ship took off again amid loud protests.