Amsterdam’s council has announced a major move to halve the number of cruise ships that can dock in its port, with the aim of banning them entirely within a decade. Currently, 190 ships dock annually at the city’s passenger terminal, located near the historic centre. That number will be reduced to 100 by 2026.
From 2027, all ships must use ground-based power supplied by the city’s electrical grid instead of its own polluting generators. A total ban will come into effect in 2035, with a new terminal opening outside the city limits, Bloomberg revealed.
The decision comes as part of a move to mitigate the damage caused by overtourism in the Dutch capital. Between 2019 and 2023, the number of daytime visitors rose to 15.1 million, while overnight stays reached 22.1 million in 2023, exceeding the maximum allowed of 20 million in 2021. This increase has strained the transport infrastructure and generated resentment among local residents.
Cruise ships are particularly criticised for causing high levels of pollution in city centres. Each ship is as polluting as 31,000 trucks, according to data from the centrist D66 party. In addition, cruise tourists tend to spend less money at local businesses because they eat and sleep on board.
The move faces logistical challenges and controversies. The new terminal outside the city will reroute 40 ships to the port of Rotterdam, 88 km away, creating additional congestion and pollution due to bus transport to Amsterdam.
The city will also face a revenue loss estimated at between €46 million and €103 million. However, the municipality sees these measures as necessary to ensure the city’s long-term attractiveness.
In addition to restrictions on cruises, Amsterdam has implemented other measures to curb uncontrolled tourism, including restrictions on short-stay apartments, a ban on new hotels, and campaigns against anti-social behaviour.
Cities such as Venice, Barcelona and Dubrovnik have already adopted similar restrictions to protect their historic centres from the negative effects of tourism.
