Terminal Isonzo 2, the new cruise facility of the Passenger Port of Venice was officially opened today. Built in 18 months and with an overall investment of 12 million euro (7 million of euro from the Venice Port Authority and 5 million of euro from the Venezia Terminal Passeggeri), operating at maximum capacity, the new facility can handle up to 600,000 passengers per year.

Located in the Marittima Area, terminal overlooks the lagoon and has been designed according to the highest efficiency standards and passenger security, while having minimum environmental impact. The design facilitates passenger and luggage flow embarking and disembarking and easy transfer to coaches.

“With this new terminal inaugurated today, the infrastructure development of the port will increase our passenger capacity, allowing us to better welcome the 1,806,000 passengers expected by the end of 2011 (a 11.7% increase over 2010)” commented Sandro Trevisanato, chairman of Venezia Terminal Passeggeri, “It is clear that we are moving in the right direction and this facility proves the merit of the choices we have made and the investments we have carried out for the redevelopment of the Marittima area, in order to meet the needs of both operators and users.

“Venice has now become a major cruise hub. It is the departure point for itineraries that cover the most attractive area of the Mediterranean – covering Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece and Turkey. Its success is attributable to a number of factors, including attracting and retaining the leading industry players and staying on top of market trends, such as winter cruising. (From Nov. 2010 to March 2011, 60.000 passengers sailed from Venice.)

“It is also worth mentioning the short cruise phenomenon, a growing new trend aimed at those trying out this holiday formula for the first time, and the excellent results achieved by the segment dedicated to incentive and business cruises,” Trevisanato continued.

The Isonzo 2 terminal is divided into two parts: the arrival area measuring 7,485 square meters and the departure area measuring 7,130 square meters with a panoramic terrace on the roof measuring 2,150 square meters. The departure area has a duty free store, café and VIP lounge. The embarkation of passengers is made smooth and secure thanks to a mobile boarding bridge, separating the passenger flow from the baggage handling and the ship provisions.