Venice

Size limits

LOA 304.16m, beam 42.8m, draught 13.5m, 85,626DWT.

Water density

1020-1028.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

The max. tidal range is 0.85m.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

The Traffic Separation Scheme has been established in the approaches. The main entrances to the harbour are through Porto di Malamacco (45°20.0'N 012°20.0'E) and Porto di Lido (45°25.0'N 012°26.0'E) from where major deep water navigation channels lead through the lagoon to the various parts of the harbour complex.

The normal entrance to be used is through Porto di Malamocco to the commercial port.

Secondary channels also permit approach from entry at Porto di Chioggia (45°13.0'N 012°17.0'E).

The network of ship canals within the lagoon of Venice has a total length of approx 70km. The canal for large vessels, from the port entrance at S Nicolo di Lido to Marghera port area, is 18km in length whereas with the various canals altogether, a length of approx 42km is reached.

Via Porto di Malamocco: The controlling depths are as follows:

14.0m to Darsena San Leonardo;

12.0m to Turning Basin No 4 Porto Marghera then 11.5m;

10.5m to Porto Commerciale.

Via Porto di Lido: The depth is 11.0m.

Caution: Depths are unreliable due to silting and port authorities must be consulted for latest information concerning depths.

Note: Large cruise ships: A ban has been lifted on large cruise ships over 96,000 gross tonnes sailing through the City's Giudecca Channel and passing St Mark's Square. The ban was mainly for environmental reasons and may well be imposed again in the future.

Traffic schemes and VTS

A Traffic Separation Scheme has been established in the approaches of Venice to improve navigational safety in the approaches to Porto di Chioggia, Porto di Malamocco and Porto di Lido. From a roundabout centred about 10nm E of Chioggia Light, separation zones radiate to each of the entrances. The scheme is not IMO adopted, but its use is compulsory for vessels arriving or departing from Venice, when within Italian territorial waters. Italian authorities advise that the principles for use of the routeing system defined in Rule 10 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (1972) apply.

Radar assistance can be provided by the pilot station at Forte Rocchetts to vessels in the roadsteads off Porto di Malamocco and Porto di Lido. Information is passed on VHF radio, a 24 hour service is operated.

Anchorages

Anchorage areas have been established .in the vicinity of 45°25.0'N 012°30.0'E off Porto di Lido and 45°22.0'N 012°27.0'E, off Porto di Malamocco.

A tanker waiting area is situated 5.5nm ESE of Forte Roccchetta Lighthouse.

It is obligatory for vessels to anchor only in the areas designated for them and to observe the regulations concerning entry.

MSC - Malamocco Small Cargo, cargo ships of less than 5,000GT.

MBC - Malamocco Big Cargo, cargo ships exceeding 5,000GT.

MST - Malamocco Small Tanker, gas carriers and vessels carrying dangerous liquid chemicals in bulk, of less than 20,000GT.

MBT - Malamocco Big Tanker, gas carriers and vessels carrying dangerous liquid chemicals in bulk, exceeding 20,000GT.

MLA - Malamocco Lightering Area, mainly tankers concerned with lightering operations of mineral oils, however can be used by cargo vessels exceeding 5,000GT if not already occupied by tankers lightering.

LSC - Lido Small Cargo, cargo ships of less than 5,000GT.

LBC - Lido Big Cargo, cargo vessels exceeding 5,000GT.

On anchoring mariners are required to report to the pilot station the position of their berth relative to the head of Porto di Lido S breakwater head.

Caution: All berths are exposed, especially to the Scirocco and Bora, and none are totally safe. Mariners are therefore advised to consider vacating their berths in strong onshore winds and if necessary to seek shelter under the coast of Istra.

Coasters can anchor within Porto di Lido at the entrance of Canale di Treporti (45°26.0'N 012°25.0'E), sheltered from the Bora but exposed to the Scirocco.

Anchoring restrictions: The approaches to the harbour entrances must not be obstructed.

Mariners are warned against anchoring in an area extending approx 6nm ESE from Isola di Pellestrina, which has been declared dangerous by the Italian Government on account of obstructions and unexploded ordnance on the seabed.

Anchoring is prohibited by the Italian Government within a radius of 1nm of a wreck (10.5nm ESE of Porto di Malamocco N breakwater head), on account of explosives scattered on the seabed.

Anchoring is prohibited in the vicinity of two submarine pipelines, which extend respectively ESE from a position on Isola di Malamocco approx 2nm NNE of Port di Malamocco, and SSE from a position on Litorale del Cavallino approx 3nm ENE of Porto di Lido. A lightbuoy (special) is moored near the extremity of both pipelines.

Anchoring is prohibited in the vicinity of a submarine power cable, extending ESE from the head of Porto di Malamocco N breakwater.

Mariners are advised to avoid a dangerous wreck (3.5nm S of Porto di Lido NE breakwater head).

Mussel beds are situated 6nm SE of Porto di Lido NE breakwater. A red buoy is moored in (45°22.0'N 012°33.0'E) and marks the centre of a circular area of radius 500m where navigation and anchoring are prohibited. Four cylindrical buoys mark the boundary of the mussel bed.

Restrictions

Restrictions concerning deep draught vessels and/or vessels carrying dangerous cargo, are in force during the night in the Malamocco to Marghera channel.

Other vessels may enter day or night.

Tugs

Compulsory for vessels over 1,000GT and for those carrying inflammable or dangerous cargo, and for certain other vessels. The number of tugs employed is determined by the port authority.

Tug assistance is normally required at Porto Marghera and Porto Commerciale for manoeuvring in the turning basins and for berthing at some quays.

Fire fighting tugs are available.

Mooring

Three mooring buoys are laid in Canale di San Nicolo. The distance between PP1 and B13 is about 340m, and between PP1 and B14 is about 330m; they are used by vessels lightering cargo.

Two mooring buoys B7 and B8 are laid in Canale delle Navi, 0.2nm E of the entrance to Grande Darsena dell'Arsenale. Distance between the buoys is 290m and they are used by vessels under repair or waiting to enter dry dock.

Two mooring buoys Ma1 and Ma2 are laid in Canale dej Marani about 0.35nm NE of No 3 dry dock. Distance between the buoys is 200m and they are used by vessels up to 4,500t under repair or waiting to enter dry dock.

Five mooring buoys B2, B3, B4, B5 and B6 are laid in Canale de San Marco. The distances between B2 and B3, and B3 and B4 are about 260m and 230m respectively and between B5 and B6 about 200m; they are used by the Italian Navy and commercial traffic.

All berths are at head and stern buoys; there are no single point moorings.

Mooring posts and dolphins which are available for berthing are assigned by the Harbour Authority. Some berths, including those bordering the S side of Canale della Giudecca, are reserved for vessels laid up, or under repair.

Charts and publications

BA 1480, 1442, 1483, Italian 221, 222, 226, Admiralty Pilot NP47, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should send ETA and maximum draught 48 hours in advance.

Communications

Inmarsat communication is possible.

VHF: Port Harbour Master: Ch 16, 13.

Malamocco Pilot: Ch 13, call "Venice pilots". Tel: +39 041 220 7011, Fax: +39 041 731313

Email: [email protected].

Tugs: Ch 10.

Mooring Service: Ch 13.

Notice of readiness

NOR to be tendered in accordance with terms and conditions of Charter Party.

Documents

The following documentation is required by the customs and immigration authorities, the harbour master and agents.

Health

Free pratique must be requested by cable to "Sanita Marittima Zattere-Venice".

Ship Sanitation Control and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

The customs allowance is 50gm of tobacco for each crew member.

Notices and regulations

It is reported that special regulations are now in force for tankers.

Regulations in the vicinity of the entrance channels: Special regulations are in force in the vicinity of Porto di Malamocco and Porto di Lido and include the following:

Small craft of any type must give way to vessels entering or leaving the channels within a radius of 2nm from the head of the N breakwaters at both entrances.

Vessels for which pilotage is compulsory are prohibited from waiting within 2nm of the head of the N breakwater at both entrances.

Small craft are prohibited from loitering within 1nm of the head of the N breakwater at both entrances, and within the approach channels (defined as the area bounded by the extension to seaward of the breakwaters at both entrances) at a distance of between 1-2nm from the respective N breakwater heads.

Vessels are required to proceed at the minimum speed necessary for manoeuvring and where possible to keep to the starboard side of the centre line of the channel.

Mariners are required to adjust their navigation so as to avoid meeting in the entrances. Vessels departing have priority over vessels entering.

Harbour regulations: Special regulations are in force in Porto di Venezia particularly for vessels carrying dangerous or inflammable cargoes, for local craft, and during fog. A copy of these regulations will be shown to the masters of vessels by the pilot. The following are some of the more important regulations.

General navigation: Vessels are required to proceed at the minimum speed necessary to retain manoeuvrability and if possible, at less than 6kts. Vessels navigating the major canals in the same direction must maintain a distance apart of at least 0.5nm; overtaking is prohibited. Vessels should, when possible, navigate along the centre line of the canals.

Precedence: Local vessels and craft of any kind, which are crossing a major navigation canal, or entering from side channels, must give way to those vessels navigating the major canals.

Dredgers: When engaged in dredging operations, dredgers display the following signals:

By day: Two black balls displayed vertically on the side on which passage is clear; one black ball on the side on which passage is foul.

By night: The black balls are replaced by white lights.

Dangerous cargoes: Vessels carrying dangerous or inflammable cargoes may, at the discretion of the harbour authority, be prohibited from navigating in the port at night, or in fog.

Vessels laden with inflammable cargoes, or unladen but not yet certified gas free must enter through Porto di Malamocco.

Effective from 01st September 2016, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) will require sea carriers calling at EU ports to file Container Status Messages (CSMs). Vessels experiencing technical communication problems should report the issue via e-mail to the Commission's help-service email: [email protected].

Port State Control here: Paris MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Italian Coast Guard Headquarters, Legal Department.

Address: Viale dell'Arte 16, I-00146 Rome, Italy.

Tel: +39 06 590 841 87.

Fax: +39 06 596 482 93.

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.guardiacostiera.gov.it

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Fincantieri, at Marghera, is equipped to build and repair large ships of up to 250,000SDWT. Divers available.

Dry docks

Several patent slips, maximum lift 1,500t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available alongside by lighter.

Bunkering: All marine bunker requirements are met if ordered in advance (barges widely used). Fuel oil alongside by lighter.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest airport: Ospedale dell'Angelo - ULSS 3 Serenissima, 10.3km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Venice Marco Polo Airport, 13.7km.

Nearest railway: Venezia Porto Marghera railway station, 6.5km.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1200hrs; 1300-1700hrs; 1700-2330hrs and 2330-0530hrs. Sun and holidays: 0800-1400hrs and 1400-2000hrs.

Where it is

Venice is situated at the Northern end of the Adriatic.

The port

Venice is a natural harbour sheltered within a large lagoon.

There are two approaches to Venice port , the main port entrance for passenger and ferry vessels is via S Nicolo di Lido, whereby vessels reach the Marittima Cruise Centres, Santa Marta, San Basilio and also through the basin of St Mark and Giudecca Canal to Porto Marghera, the commercial and industrial Port.

The port can now accommodate up to 7 ships simultaneously at the Marittima Terminal, 12 including San Basilio, and handles up to 33,000 cruise ship passengers every day.

Imports and exports include crude oil, oil products, liquid fuels, liquefied gases, chemical products, fertilisers, metals, salt and rock salt, grain, general cargo, containers, bulk minerals, timber, coal and coke.

Traffic

Approx 25,000,000t of cargo, 530,000TEU, 3,000 vessels, 400,000 passengers and 2,100,000t coal handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Venice?

Arrival instructions: At least 2 hours prior to arrival in the roads, contact must be made with Venezia pilots on VHF Ch 13 or through Venezia radio in order that a vessel may be advised of the entry channel to be used or the designated anchor berth.

What time zone is Venice in?

Local time at Venice is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Venice?

The deepest berth listed is at ENI Refinery: 13.11 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Venice?

1020-1028.

Which load line zone is Venice in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Venice?

Port State Control at Venice: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Venice?

The UN/LOCODE of Venice is ITVCE.

What crews who called at Venice say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

Read and add tips for Venice →