# Civitavecchia port usage fee legal dispute

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/civitavecchia-port-usage-fee-legal-dispute
> Updated: 2026-09-20T18:15:47.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

The Italian Supreme Court (Corte di Cassazione) has issued a definitive ruling regarding a long-standing legal dispute over passenger usage fees at the Port of Civitavecchia. The court rejected a final appeal from Roma Cruise Terminal, which is jointly owned by Costa Crociere and MSC Cruises.

The dispute, which has persisted since 2017, centered on whether the charges applied to passengers disembarking in concession areas were taxes or payments for general-interest port services. The court upheld the charges, classifying them as the latter. This decision provides financial certainty for the Port Authority (AdSP) and concludes a judicial process involving multiple levels of the administrative court system. The ruling is expected to serve as a legal guideline for the broader Italian port system.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-20: Port of Civitavecchia usage rights upheld by Italian Supreme Court

Italy's Supreme Court has upheld the legitimacy of usage rights at the Port of Civitavecchia, ending a legal dispute dating back to 2017 and providing a precedent for national port authorities.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/port-of-civitavecchia-usage-rights-upheld-by-italian-supreme-court

### 2026-09-15: Civitavecchia port authority wins final ruling on cruise fees

Italy’s Court of Cassation upheld passenger usage fees at the port of Civitavecchia, ruling they are service payments rather than taxes, ending a legal challenge by Roma Cruise Terminal.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/civitavecchia-port-authority-wins-final-ruling-on-cruise-fees

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Cite as: Civitavecchia port usage fee legal dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/civitavecchia-port-usage-fee-legal-dispute