Is Venice Allowing Cruise Ships to Dock?

By Robert Palmer

Venice, the floating city, is a popular tourist destination known for its breathtaking canals and stunning architecture. However, in recent years, the city has faced a lot of criticism for allowing cruise ships to dock.

What’s the issue?

The main concern is that the large cruise ships are causing damage to Venice’s fragile ecosystem. The ships’ massive engines are polluting the air and water, and their weight is causing erosion and damage to the city’s historic buildings.

In addition, the massive influx of tourists that come with these ships is putting a strain on Venice’s infrastructure. The city has a population of just over 50,000 people but receives millions of tourists each year.

What’s being done about it?

In 2013, after years of protests from environmentalists and local residents, the Italian government banned cruise ships over 96,000 tonnes from entering Venice’s historic centre.

However, this ban was not enforced until 2019 when a ship crashed into a dock in Venice and reignited concerns about the safety of allowing these large vessels to enter such a delicate environment.

Since then, there have been several proposals put forward by the Italian government to find an alternative route for these ships. One proposal suggested building a new port at Marghera on the mainland. Another suggested using an existing port in nearby Chioggia.

The latest news

Despite all these proposals, it seems that Venice is still allowing cruise ships to dock. In July 2021, MSC Orchestra became one of the first cruise ships to enter Venice since the pandemic began.

This decision has faced backlash from environmentalists and local residents who argue that it goes against previous promises made by the Italian government to find an alternative route for these ships.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there have been efforts made to find an alternative route for cruise ships entering Venice, it seems that the issue is far from resolved.

It is crucial that the Italian government takes into account the impact of these ships on Venice’s fragile ecosystem and finds a sustainable solution that benefits both the city’s residents and its visitors.