Lombardy Regional Council approves motion to relaunch inland navigation

The Lombardy Regional Council has unanimously approved a motion to relaunch inland navigation and strengthen the Padan-Venetian infrastructure. The measure mandates the regional government to enhance coordination between the regions traversed by the river network and to contribute to a Strategic Plan for Inland Navigation by 2027. The goal is to ensure navigability throughout the entire year.

A key component of the motion is the establishment of a permanent Interregional Consultation. This body will facilitate technical and political dialogue between Lombardy, Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, and Veneto, as well as the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, local authorities, port managers, and logistics operators. This collaborative approach aims to align regional efforts with national regulatory reforms and European sustainability policies.

The initiative specifically targets the strategic importance of the Po River and its waterways, linking the ports of Mantova and Cremona to broader European transport networks. Proponents emphasize that modernizing the regulatory framework is essential to fully utilize the Simplified Logistics Zone (ZLS) established for the river ports in the region.