Shipping traffic will remain unaffected, as the height of the Strait of Messina Bridge complies with international standards. 
As confirmed by the Technical Group for the Safety of Navigation in the Strait of Messina: “The navigation clearance of the Bridge has been thoroughly analyzed through a comprehensive review of recent traffic patterns in the Strait of Messina, categorized by vessel type. No vessel transiting in 2023 would have been prevented from passing under the Bridge”. Passage through the main waterways remains subject to existing navigation regulations, which also define the maximum allowable heights for transiting ships.

For instance, large container ships crossing the Mediterranean from the Suez Canal, which pass under the Al Salam Bridge (with a clearance of 70 meters), can reach a maximum height of 68 meters. Likewise, ships arriving from the Black Sea can have a maximum height of 58 meters. Additionally, the reduction in ferry traffic crossing the Strait will contribute to safer north-south navigation.