The New Zealand cruise industry has voiced concerns about climate action protests against cruise ships.
The New Zealand Cruise Association is claiming protestors are becoming increasingly “more intimidating,” according to the association’s CEO, Jacqui Lloyd.
“Just within the last couple of months we’ve noticed a lot more intimidation from the protests. It’s the volume of sound from the megaphones and the chants, and stand-over tactics for staff that work around the port area,” she said.
Protest Group Denies the Claim
Climate Liberation Aotearoa rejected the claim. “That’s not true at all. We are staging protest action and those actions can be confronting,” said the group’s spokesperson, James Cockle. “These big companies are polluting our environment, they’re trashing our waterways, and are getting away with it.”
The protest group wants large cruise ships banned from certain vulnerable natural waterways like Fiordland.
Lloyd says the industry is doing its bit to reduce its carbon footprint, having invested more than $26 billion in new technologies and newer, more fuel-efficient ships.
Port of Auckland Closely Monitoring the Situation
Tour companies and other businesses reliant on cruise tourism say protesters in Auckland have targeted them.
The port of Auckland is public land which allows for legal public gatherings, however the port authority is ready to make changes if the situation puts people or property at risk.
“We’re just watching and waiting and will adjust our plans as required,” said Ports of Auckland spokesperson Julie Wagener.
Separately, the New Zealand cruise industry is also battling against its government.
Cruise Lines International Association Australasia recently slammed a proposed 88% hike in border processing fees for cruise ship passengers.
CLIA and New Zealand Cruise Association warned cruise lines could pull out of New Zealand port calls. CLIA CEO Joel Katz cited a drop of 22% in planned cruise calls for the upcoming southern hemisphere summer season due to already high cruise industry costs in New Zealand.
This instance is just one of many protests and fee hikes that could eventually damage relationships with cruise lines.
