VENICE – Matteo Gasparato is the new president of the North Adriatic Sea Port Authority, which manages the ports of Venice and Chioggia. The appointment was formalised today by a decree signed by Infrastructure and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, following the period of special administration led by Gasparato himself.
In his first statement as president, Gasparato thanked the minister and the government «for the trust placed in me», explaining that the core of his mandate will be «rebuilding the historical and functional relationship that binds Venice, Chioggia and the lagoon to their port, and vice versa», with an eye to economic, productive and environmental redevelopment.
He stressed that he intends to draw on the experience gained «in over fifteen years at the top levels of national logistics» and on cooperation with the Maritime Authority, local institutions and all bodies involved in managing a system as complex as the lagoon. Among the priorities he listed were the revitalisation of Porto Marghera and Chioggia, completing ongoing strategic projects and launching new initiatives to enhance industrial and logistics areas.
Gasparato identified the creation of the new terminal in the Montesyndial area as a «paradigmatic project», describing it as «a step change in the significance of the Port of Venice». He also emphasised the importance of strengthening rail and road links to support intermodality and improving safe nautical accessibility, in coordination with the Harbourmaster’s Office and the Lagoon Authority, while respecting the environmental and urban safeguards ensured by the MoSE system.
«These are ambitious but achievable goals» the new president added, «which, together with the development of the cruise sector — already under way following Decree 103/2021 — will be brought together in the drafting of the new Port System Masterplan, replacing the current planning tools and aligning them with a medium- and long-term growth outlook».
«We welcome the appointment of Matteo Gasparato as president of the North Adriatic Sea Port Authority. As the Venice Port Community (Vpc), we are pleased that the Port of Venice can count on a leader who ensures continuity with the work carried out so far. We immediately call on Gasparato to champion our priorities so that the projects for the “Trezze” island, the maintenance of the Petroli and Vittorio Emanuele channels and the construction of the North Channel passenger terminal can be completed. These are essential activities for the development of the Port of Venice, giving perspective and vitality to the investments we entrepreneurs have been making for years. We thank Minister Salvini for bringing an end to a months-long stalemate and extend our best wishes to the new president for his work here in Venice» said Davide Calderan, president of the Venice Port Community (Vpc), commenting on Gasparato’s appointment.
