VENICE – Room for projects, above all the offshore terminal, and more broadly for the Port of Venice as the only alternative to tourism.
Matteo Gasparato, recently appointed president of the Port System Authority governing Venice (Porto Marghera) and Chioggia, chose Palazzo Ducale today, the “heart” of the city, to introduce himself and reaffirm that the port must once again become central to Venice. He did so together with Venice’s Maritime Director, Rear Admiral Filippo Marini, the president of the Venice Lagoon Authority, Roberto Rossetto, and the president of the Venice Port Community, Davide Calderan.
Gasparato reiterated that port activity is the only alternative to the tourism monoculture, citing figures tinged with nostalgia: «In 2019 we reached 1.6 million passengers. Today we handle 25 million tonnes a year. Let’s say the debate must shift from “if” to “how” to make the economy compatible. Giving up port activity would strip Venice of its nature, reducing it to a lifeless museum. We need non-ideological, long-term decisions, also within the framework of the Mose».
Space was given to projects, starting with the offshore terminal, which Gasparato described as «strategic», though in a long-term perspective, since it will take an estimated ten years to see it built, and therefore fully operational «in the coming decades». The president then clarified that the idea stems from a regulatory requirement «from the State, through a decree-law turned into law in March 2021, which mandates a call for ideas», the outcome of which will be known on 20 November 2026.
As for the dredging works and the “deposit” of sediments at the “Nuove Tresse”, this is an 82-million-euro project covering an area of 46 hectares, with works scheduled to begin in July 2026 «pending any appeals». A curious decision was to let local schools choose the name of the new island through a competition. The other projects under the Commissioner include the excavation of the Vittorio Emanuele channel to make use of the Cruise Terminal, since «it is outrageous to have it and not use it, though in the first phase we will allow access for vessels up to 55,000 tonnes, and then up to 70,000» in the second phase of works. Attention then turned to the dredging of the Malamocco–Marghera channel, the South channel and Chioggia (Isola dei Saloni and Val da Rio), all scheduled for completion within the next two years.
Another item on the agenda was the regulated port: «We are awaiting the new law, a highly strategic issue. I also intend to establish a permanent presence in Chioggia, not merely symbolic».
Finally, an important reference to the Monesyndial area: «a strategic project for future container traffic, an area with the potential to exceed one million TEU», for which 189 million euros will be needed for the first phase and 187 million for completion.
The agenda was welcomed by the port community. Calderan in fact stressed: «We are the only alternative to tourism. We have been saying this for a long time and we are pleased to see alignment with today’s statements by Adspmas president Matteo Gasparato». «We are certainly satisfied that our priorities have been given perspective, namely the dredging of the channels, the “Tresse 2” island and the opportunities offered by the use of the Cruise Terminal, which today lies underused. We remain confident, we offer full cooperation with our expertise, and we hope» – Calderan concluded – «that the dialogue held so far can continue in a constructive and productive manner, also with a view to defining the requirements for the regulated port legislation».
