Cruise Ships Not Banned from Amsterdam, Says Industry Group CLIA

Photo source: Cruise Port Amsterdam

The cruise industry’s trade body refuted on Wednesday reports that Amsterdam would be banning cruise ships as part of efforts to address overtourism and environmental reasons.

In a statement, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said the reports were “inaccurate” and that the port has publicly stated that “cruise ships have not been banned from Amsterdam”.

The response comes days after Amsterdam’s city council approved a proposal to shut down the city’s cruise ship terminal. To support its argument, CLIA adds that the port and Passenger Terminal Amsterdam “have already pledged to undertake investments worth millions of euros in port infrastructure and shoreside electricity for the long-term”.

Confirming this, Dick de Graaff, managing director of Cruise Port Amsterdam, told Reuters that “there is certainly no immediate ban on ships – let alone an immediate closure of the terminal.”

Photo source: Amsterdam Cruise Port / Photo © Merijn Roubroeks

According to CLIA discussions which started in 2016 and are ongoing have focused on the cruise terminal’s “relocation outside the city center”.

“We are working with the authorities to accommodate the views expressed by council members while continuing to support the communities that benefit from cruise tourism,” CLIA said.

Amsterdam usually receives more than 20 million overnight visitors. According to CLIA, about 1 percent arrive by cruise ship and contribute about 105 million euros a year to the local economy. According to Reuters, the Amsterdam terminal expects to host 114 cruise ships in 2023 with a total of nearly 300,000 passengers.