This European hotspot wants to ban all ocean cruises by 2035 & more related news here

Elected officials in a major European city hope to ban all sea cruises in the coming years to curb the country’s glut of tourists and promote sustainability.

Amsterdam council officials are pushing to ban large cruise ships from docking in the city, according to Dutch media Holland Times and Dutch news. Ideally, they hope the ordinance will go into effect in 2035.

The new efforts come as the council decided not to vote on a plan to move the city’s cruise terminal further west, away from the city center. Instead, the city is working to end ocean cruises entirely.

“We want to prioritize sustainability and livability,” said Deputy Mayor and Council Member Hester Van Buren. Dutch news. “This means that in the coming months we will explore the option of ending sea cruises in Amsterdam before 2035, so that the new municipal executive can make a decision.”

A study on the relocation of the cruise terminal revealed high investment costs for the city, estimated at just under $100 million. Van Buren says it would be an investment the city will struggle to recoup.

If plans to ban ocean cruises go into effect, Van Buren estimates it would cost Amsterdam about $54 million in revenue over the next 30 years. However, he says the shortfall could be recovered by upgrading the Veemkade industrial zone and repurposing the berth at Coenhaven Port.

Van Buren cited cruise ships’ significant carbon dioxide, particulate matter and nitrogen emissions as reasons for the ban. He also claimed that the presence of the ships would obstruct plans to build a bridge over the IJ River.

Pressure to reduce sea cruises in Amsterdam began in 2023, when the political party D66 urged the city council to relocate the city terminal and limit the number of ships per year. The motion was passed and reduced sea vessel arrivals from 190 to no more than 100 a year, per Holland Times.

Under current rules, river cruise ships can still operate near Veemkade.

Local party leader Rob Hofland welcomed the efforts made by city leaders: “Years after our proposal, we are finally going to rid Amsterdam of these floating apartment blocks. They pollute our air, are bad for the climate, attract hordes of tourists to our city and block a bridge over the IJ.”

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And he adds: “The councilor has shown that moving the cruise terminal within Amsterdam is not possible. That leaves only one option: outside the city. In our opinion, it is the right choice.”

The plans are not set in stone, as city officials will hand the proposal to the next governing coalition. The new leaders will take office after local elections in mid-March.