The European Commission has advised Italian authorities to provide information on recent incidents in the area that could help determine whether large cruise ships are sailing too close to the shore in the Venice Lagoon.

The move comes more than a year after the Costa Concordia disaster, which saw the cruise ship hit rocks off Giglio as well as another near-collision between the Riva dei Setter Martiri and the Carnival Sunshine on 27 July this year, EurActiv reported.

A Transport Commission spokesperson confirmed they had contacted the Port of Venice for clarification, however, would not comment until the information had been analysed.

“Security is the top priority for us,” the spokesperson explained.

Meanwhile, three months after the Costa Concordia incident the European Commission introduced a proposal for passenger ship safety, in a bid to ensure cruisers are remain unharmed and protected by the law.

Developed along three lines, including the promotion of voluntary measures by industry, the implementation of legislation in the EU, and introduction of new rules.

“The protection passengers is essential, but not enough: we must also protect the environment and historical and cultural assets from potential damage caused by an invasive and historical and cultural assets from potential damage caused by an invasive presence of means of transport,” the Commission’s vice-president Siim Kallas explained.

Read more on: EurActiv