Italian Transport Ministry News

Venice, Italy has overturned a ban on cruise ships over 96,000 gross tonnage from sailing through the city’s Giudecca channel and passing St. Mark’s Square. Venice's regional court of appeal (Tribunale Amministrativo Regionale) threw out the limit imposed in November 2014 for large cruise ships over 96,000 gross tons (which roughly equates to 2,260 passengers) to sail to the city's main cruise terminal. The ban also limits the number of ships of 40,000 tons or more to five per day. Over the summer, celebrities like Michael Douglas and Cate Blanchett rallied in support of the ban citing the destruction and potential for flooding of the historic landmarks.

Drydocks World and Maritime World threw their combined weight behind the Emirate’s bid to host the World Expo in 2020 while also discussing matters of mutual cooperation with Italian industry leaders . His Excellency Khamis Juma Buamim, Chairman, Drydocks World & Maritime World who was in Italy to address participants at the Mare Forum, met with Mr. Paolo D’Amico Chairman of the Italian Ship Owners Association, Dr. Enrico Maria Pujia Director General of the Maritime and Inland Waterways Transport, Commander Alberto Gauxolino of the Italian Navy and other high level dignitaries representing the Italian Transport Ministry and the Italian Navy.