Italian cruise ports have €1.05 billion (US$1.18 billion) of infrastructure investment planned for 2027–2029, according to figures from Risposte Turismo's Italian Cruise Watch presented on Friday, October 23.
Quays, bollards, and mooring dolphins account for the largest share, at €339.7 million (US$381.1 million) or 32.3 per cent of the total. Supply and alternative fuel infrastructure accounts for €219.5 million (US$246.2 million) or 20.9 per cent, and dredging and seabed excavation €205.8 million (US$230.9 million) or 19.6 per cent.
Passenger terminals account for almost €270 million (US$300 million) including refurbishment, of which €214.3 million (US$240.4 million) is for new construction. Eight new cruise terminals with a combined value of €165 million (US$185 million) are scheduled to open by 2029, four of them replacing existing facilities.
Ravenna, Bari, Messina, Taranto and Brindisi are due to open new terminals in 2027. Venice-Marghera North Canal and Ancona will follow in 2028, and La Spezia in 2029.
The Adriatic–Ionian area accounts for about €500 million (US$560 million), or 47.5 per cent, of the national package. Italian Cruise Watch forecasts a 0.7 per cent decline in traffic in that area in the near term.
Nationally, Italian ports are forecast to handle about 16 million cruise passenger movements in 2027, up four per cent from an expected 15.4 million in 2026. Ship calls are forecast to rise five per cent from 6,070 to 6,375. Nine ports are expected to exceed their individual traffic records.
Civitavecchia will remain the busiest Italian cruise port, with a forecast of 3.8 million passenger movements (up 2.7 per cent) and 990 calls. The port handled a record 3,556,559 passenger movements in 2025.
"For ports, however, simply attracting ships will not be enough; they must also be ready to accommodate them with infrastructure and services consistently capable of meeting market and customer requirements," said Risposte Turismo President Francesco di Cesare.