Vessel taking tons beyond Italian river (3)
I believe the answer is:
pot
'vessel' is the definition.
(type of container)
'tons beyond italian river' is the wordplay.
'tons' becomes 't'.
'beyond' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'italian river' becomes 'po' (river in Italy).
't' after 'po' is 'POT'.
'taking' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for pot that I've seen before include "Container for 23" , "Kitchen utensil or slang cannabis" , "It sometimes calls the kettle black" , "Weed" , "Cooking vessel, plant container and street drug" .)