The UNII is a non profit making association, in which both Public Bodies and their Consortiums may be involved ( The Regions, the Provinces, town halls, Chambers of Commerce, Port Authorities, Industrial Development Consortiums) to a measure which may be higher than 50% as well as Private Individuals ( Companies, Firms and Associations whose work is connected to internal navigation

The UNII is based in Venice and it was legally recognised as being a corporate franchise on 19th June 1992. It consists of: the General Council which operates by means of partner meetings; the Presidential Committee, which takes the most important decisions; the President who oversees the general working of the association; the Council of Auditors.

The aims of the UNII are to develop internal navigation both commercial and tourism related  and for this reason much of its work is promotional;

Examples of this work are:

·         It promotes and carries out research aimed at developing the sector;

·         It maintains relations with National, Regional and Local Authorities, as well as with those national and international bodies or organisations that work in this sector, on elaborating plans and projects;

·         It ensures that congresses are prepared for and attended where themes linked to internal navigation are debated;

·         It prepares and collects studies and publications which have been dedicated to the subject of internal navigation and river law; and the union itself has its own “River Law and Internal Navigation Study Centre”;

·         It promotes all work proposals designed to develop National Regional or Local Projects related to internal or port navigation, to merchant and tourist traffic by applying to associated bodies and the appropriate Authorities for their support.
 

Effects of UNII work

The work carried out by the UNII, is basically of a promotional nature, and, therefore, it only indirectly affects the development of the development of the waterways network, and internal navigation traffic. It may, however, be confidently said to have played a decisive role as far as the approval of law n° 380 is concerned, both regarding the definition of the System network and regarding the funds which were obtained in order to create the infrastructures.

The recent funds which were authorised by law n° 194/1998 ( of 80 billion lire for the years 1997- 1998 and 1999)  are an example of results which can be said to be particularly pleasing  as was law n° 413/1998 on the refinancing of work for building yards for the industry and at an amateur level. The European Community norms related to the sector have also been applied: art. 11 of these norms authorises, starting from the year 2000, a minimum fifteen year economic investment of 40 billion lire a year aimed at restoring the Veneto-Padano   waterway system.