Amsterdam to Phase Out Cruise Ships and Force Use of Onshore Power
The Dutch capital takes further steps to curb overtourism and fight pollution from the vessels’ oil-fired generators.
Amsterdam has taken a number of steps to rein in tourism that residents say is damaging their quality of life.
Photographer: Jasper Juinen/Bloomberg
Amsterdam will slash the number of cruise ships permitted to moor in its harbor by almost half before banning them from docking there entirely about a decade from now.
Currently 190 ships annually dock annually at its passenger terminal, located close to the city’s heart. Following an announcement from Amsterdam City Hall last week, that number will drop to a maximum of 100 in 2026. The following year, all ships will be required to use onshore power from the city’s grid rather than their more-polluting onboard generators. An outright ban within the city will start in 2035, following the opening of an out-of-town terminal now under construction 16 miles away.