Following in the footsteps of Genoa and La Spezia, Venice will also see a surcharge applied to road haulage of containers in and out of the port. The announcement came from the regional branches of Fai, Cna and Confartigianato Trasporti, who stated that the charge will take effect on 3 June 2025, although they have yet to disclose the amount of the so-called port fee. The surcharge is justified as compensation for the additional costs road hauliers incur due to inefficiencies beyond their control. These issues, mainly long waiting times for loading and unloading, are seen as making the situation untenable.
The decision by Veneto’s hauliers comes shortly after a similar move in La Spezia, where a congestion fee has been introduced on all transport entering the port basin through the Stagnoni gate. This measure responds to frequent slowdowns, delays and congestion, which have worsened what was already considered a complex situation. As in Venice, the stated aim is to urge clients and operators to take shared responsibility for the extra costs imposed on transport companies.
In Ravenna, hauliers are also preparing action. On 12 May, the Comitato Unitario Autotrasporto (Joint Road Haulage Committee) threatened to block access to the container terminal due to extended waiting times for deliveries and collections, which can reach up to two hours. Freight forwarders and customs brokers have joined the protest, expressing concern about a potential loss of traffic. Businesses are calling on the terminal operator to increase staffing levels and improve overall management.
