The port of Livorno is being privatized and has attracted multiple bidders with a bright cruise future.

2016 traffic came in with almost 16 percent more passengers, 870,935. This year, that number is down a bit to 710,000 due to decreased U.S. cruise line deployment in the Mediterranean.

“2018 perspectives are better: we have already booked 366 calls and 760,000 passengers,” said Giovanni Spadoni, technical and commercial director.

The AIDAperla will include Livorno on weekly sailings this summer, while the MSC Armonia will interport in the Italian city known as the Gateway to Tuscany.

Plans are on the drawing boards to double the berth space, and build new terminals to help sustain future growth year-round, according to Spadoni.

The Italian government also is busy reviewing bids to privatize the port. Three bidders were reported to be in the mix, with a consortium comprised of a terminal operator, ferry company and MSC Cruises being in the drivers’ seat for the winning bid. Their plan includes a 10 million euro buyout of the port and a 91 million euro investment in infrastructure.