A watery grave

The historic port in Venice is a tourist hotspot and bustling, boat filled venue already, so plans by Italian authorities to further expand the port in order to accommodate far bigger ships in greater numbers is worrying many, as they fear the plans could threaten the already fragile city on water...

The Venice Port Authority has announced plans to Change Venice's beautiful port into a busy shipping hub, in line with other larger European harbours.

Expansion plans would allow larger ships to enter the port, which is ideally located to give access to areas of northern Italy and central Europe.

Were plans to go ahead, the sea port could be transformed into a very lucrative project, drawing more international visitors and their cash from all over the world as well as boosting imports and exports.

But, of far more importance, say critics, is the protection of one of the most beautiful cities in the world and its already fragile architecture.

These plans could greatly endanger the fragile lagoon and contribute to the sinking of Venice, which is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Conservation group Venice in Peril is opposed to the planned dredging of passages in the shallow lagoon to allow larger ships entry and the construction of a new shipping terminal in Porto Marghera.

Both of these plans will, they say, cause the water levels to rise further, wreaking havoc on the buildings.

Under the combined effect of rising water levels and settling of the land, Venice has sunk 23cm in the last century. Climate Change is also increasing the water levels.

Picture by imageafter