Effective preparedness for CBRNe threats starts with a deep understanding of real operational environments. Within this framework, partners of the CBRNe4rail project carried out an on-site study visit at the Venezia Porto Marghera Scalo, together with representatives of the Veneto Civil Protection.
Porto Marghera is one of Italy’s main commercial railway hubs and plays a strategic role in cargo transport, logistics, and industrial activities. Its proximity to Venice Mestre station, one of the country’s busiest railway hubs, with over 800 trains and thousands of passengers passing through every day, makes it a highly complex environment where effective planning and a coordinated response are essential.
During the visit, the consortium analysed the station’s CBRNe risk landscape and reviewed existing safety, emergency and coordination procedures, involving the Fire Brigade and Civil Protection authorities. Direct engagement with real operational conditions enabled partners to better understand critical infrastructure interdependencies and identify opportunities to strengthen response protocols, supporting rapid and well-informed decision-making in the event of an incident.
During the visit, Fondazione SAFE contributed by providing organisational support and actively participating in the on-site activities, facilitating dialogue among project partners and supporting the exchange of information essential to the development of CBRNe4rail. Direct involvement in real operational settings is key to ensuring that project outcomes are practical, applicable and aligned with the actual needs of the railway sector
This field activity marks a key milestone in the mission of the CBRNe4rail project, which aims to enhance the preparedness of European railway operators against chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats. Insights gathered on site will directly inform the development of practical guidelines and training activities for railway staff, contributing to a more resilient European rail network.
The outcomes of the Porto Marghera visit will also feed into the design of a full-scale exercise, planned for the second half of 2026, where project partners and first responders will test and validate coordinated procedures in a realistic operational scenario.
Study visits like this are key to understanding operational needs, identifying potential challenges, and enhancing the capabilities required to build a more resilient and better-prepared European railway system.
A special thanks to all partners and operators involved for their collaboration and commitment.