Italy is banning cruise ships from entering Venice after years of lobbying by activists to protect the city’s environment and heritage.
The ban will take effect on August 1 and covers all ships weighing more than 25,000 tons from the Giudecca Canal that leads past Piazza San Marco, the city’s most famous landmark.
The Italian government finally made the decision official after UNESCO threatened to put the country on a blacklist for allowing cruise line ships into the city canals.
A formal decree was announced by Italy’s culture minister Dario Franceschini.
The new legislation provides compensation for firms and workers involved, a culture ministry statement reported by Reuters said.
The 25,000-ton threshold will mean only small ferries and goods vessels can use the Giudecca, excluding all cruise vessels which typically weigh at least four times as much and can reach more than 200,000 tons.
Venice residents protested last month when MSC Orchestra sailed through the lagoon en route for Croatia and Greece.
The Italian government approved a decree in April to build a terminal outside the lagoon where passenger vessels over 40,000 tons can berth. The call for bids to build the terminal was published on June 29.
Meanwhile, large ships were told to dock at the industrial port of Marghera, but this intermediate solution is not yet ready because Marghera lacks a suitable docking point.
The government’s decree appoints a special commissioner to fast-track the docking station at Marghera.
Cruise trade body Clia said “The cruise industry has been supportive of a new approach for many years, so this is a major step forward.
“Also, the government’s decision to appoint a special commissioner to fast-track the process is a welcome development.
“We now look forward to progress being made towards the provision of alternative docking arrangements in time for the 2022 season.”