Venice Port System Generates €15 Billion in Production Value, Eyes Modernization
VENICE – The port system of Venice and Chioggia generates a production value of €15 billion, rising to €44 billion when considering induced economic effects, according to a study by the Sintesi Study Center of the Cgia of Mestre. The system supports 1442 active companies and 26,898 employees, providing livelihoods for numerous families in the region.
Gasparato Focuses on Repositioning the Port
Matteo Gasparato, President of the North Adriatic Sea Port System Authority, announced his intention to “reposition the port system by changing its perception” to foster local pride in the value of the Venetian ports. He highlighted the system’s infrastructure, valued at €6.4 billion, with canal depths reaching 12 meters, 65 kilometers of rail network, and 40 kilometers of motorway connections. The port area encompasses 2500 hectares with 22 kilometers of docks.
Economic Breakdown of the Port System
The production value is primarily driven by trade and repairs (32.2%), manufacturing activities (27.4%), and transport and warehousing (12.4%). Professional, scientific, and technical activities contribute 6.4%, followed by energy supply, mineral extraction, sewerage, water and waste supply, construction, and rental to businesses. Approximately 54.6% of the €44.2 billion production value is concentrated in the metropolitan city of Venice, with 30.9% in the rest of Italy, and 14.5% in the Veneto region. The port contributes 6.5% to the GDP of the Veneto Region, amounting to €13 billion.
Company and Employment Statistics
The 1442 companies located within the Venetian ports are distributed across sectors, with transport and warehousing representing 19.6%, manufacturing activities 14.4%, trade and repairs 13.4%, and rental and business services 11.1%. The total number of employees, including those in the supply chain, reaches 218,853.
Increased Cargo and Passenger Traffic in 2025
Gasparato reported increases in volumes for 2025 compared to the previous year, including 26.2 million tonnes of goods handled (+5.1%), 533,000 TEUs (+11.2%), 3235 ships (+3.2%), and 735,000 passengers (+4.7%). Key supply chains include energy (24.5%), steel (18.4%), agri-food (9.5%), cement (8.1%), chemicals (5%), and exceptional packages (0.3%).
Port Community as an Alternative to Tourism
The Port Authority leadership emphasized that “the port community is the only real alternative to the tourist monoculture,” highlighting its integrated relationship with the territory. Gasparato announced a “port for the territory” program to foster closer ties between the port and the city through workshops and open access to port spaces.
Collaboration and Investment
Davide Calderan, president of Vpc, Venezia port community, thanked Gasparato for publicizing the port’s importance and advocating for continued investment. He stressed the require for investment in infrastructure like the Malamocco Marghera canal, the Vittorio Emanuele canal, recent docks, and educational programs to ensure a future workforce. Calderan noted a shift in perception, stating, “It’s no longer that the port is ‘ugly and bad’ today it is a complex, technological system.”
Safety and Technological Advancements
Rear Admiral Filippo Marini, head of the Venetian Coast Guard, underscored the importance of safety within the 550 square kilometer lagoon, citing recent ordinances regarding ship transit in the navigation lock. He applauded the Port Authority’s initiative to provide pilots with familiarization courses for navigating these basins.
CGIL Calls for Social Support
The CGIL, represented by Daniele Giordano, welcomed the initiative but cautioned that growth, technological innovation, and infrastructure investments must be accompanied by strong public and social support, focusing on stable employment, quality of work, wage protection, and governance of organizational changes.