To preserve Venice's historic area, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the Italian government has decided that large cruise ships will be banned in central Venice from 01 de Agosto.
A measure that has already been welcomed by the Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Draghi, who considered to be an important step for the preservation of the Venetian lagoon.
The decree-law approved by the Italian executive also declares it as a National Monument – which means it becomes a protected space – the canal that runs along the famous St. Mark's Square and the island of Giudecca, in Venice, where the great ships sailed.
The navigation ban affects, em concreto, vessels over 25.000 toneladas, com mais de 180 metros de comprimento, com mais de 35 meters high and that produce more than 0,1% of sulfur in its emissions.
The Italian Minister of Culture, Dario Franceschini, explained that this measure it was unavoidable and which had to be taken over before the next session of the Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational Organization, Ciência e Cultura (UNESCO), that will study the state of conservation of Venice, known as the 'city of canals'.
Veneza (and your pond) has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1987.
The new decree also establishes monetary compensation in favor of shipping companies and the port manager, among other beneficiaries, affected by this ban.
