If the Open Arms attempts to dock in Lampedusa, it could face resistance from a coastguard vessel stationed near the mouth of the port - a scene that played out in June when the captain of another charity ship defied Salvini's ban.
Carola Rackete, captain of a ship run by German charity Sea-Watch, took her ship into Lampedusa, squeezing a patrol boat against the quay as she docked. She was arrested but later freed from house arrest, and she still faces possible charges of aiding illegal immigration and defying official orders.
Under new laws introduced by Salvini, ships that enter Italian waters without authorisation face a fine of up to 1 million euros ($1.11 million). The ships can also be seized.
Spain's acting defence minister, Margarita Robles, said Salvini was putting human lives at risk for "absolutely electoral reasons", adding: "What Salvini is doing regarding the Open Arms is a shame for all humanity." ($1 = 0.9011 euros)
