Dutch environmental activists are now targeting cruise ships calling at Amsterdam. The Extinction Rebellion group initially blocked two ships from entering Amsterdam by chaining themselves to a bridge leading to the city’s central access lock.
Two Cruise Ships Were Impacted
It disrupted the arrival of Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas and the Regent Seven Seas Mariner over two days. Jewel of the Seas was forced to dock outside the city at the IJmuiden Lock and transport ship guests into the city by bus.
On the second incident with the Seven Seas Mariner, police finally decided to take action and moved in to remove protestors, causing a delay of about three hours.
Jeroen Verwoort, Deputy Mayor of Velsen, said. “The right to demonstrate is a great asset in the Netherlands. By blocking the locks again, shipping traffic cannot pass. Demonstrators did not want to leave, so I decided to have the police end the demonstration.”
Activist Group Wants Cruise Lines Taxed to Fund Clean Fuel
Extinction Rebellion has called for a new cruise tax to help fund cleaner marine fuel development. It hasn’t said whether it will continue protesting cruise ship visits.
This latest anti-cruise sentiment in the Netherlands follows protests across Europe, from Barcelona to Norway and Brittany, France. The latter included French members of Extinction Rebellion. Paddleboard protestors in New Zealand have even voiced their opposition to cruise ship calls in Otago harbor.
Last month, the lobbying group Cruise Lines International Association responded by warning its cruise line members that they may have to tweak cruise itineraries to avoid some ports where anti-cruise sentiment is strong, such as Barcelona.
“Tourism-phobia is not only a problem in Spain, but also in France and other Mediterranean countries,” said CLIA’s Europe director, Marie Caroline Laurent. “Visitors are increasingly sensitive and scenes that have been seen in places like Barcelona have an impact on the reputation of the destination.”
