Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has branded media reports of the possible closure of Amsterdam City Centre cruise terminal as inaccurate.
CLIA said it was aware of reports about the future of cruise ships in Amsterdam. But as the port has publicly stated, cruise ships have not been banned from Amsterdam, it stressed.
Furthermore, the port and Passenger Terminal Amsterdam had already pledged to undertake long term investments of millions of Euros in port infrastructure, including shoreside electricity.
However, discussions are ongoing on its possible relocation outside the city centre, which started back in 2016, the association said.
“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.
“Of the more than 21 mill visitors that Amsterdam receives each year, around 1% arrive by cruise ship, with cruise tourism contributing around €105 mill to the city annually,” CLIA said in a statement.
Amsterdam attracts more than 100 cruise ships per year, including the world’s largest.
Cruise Port Amsterdam responded by saying it is still open for business with cruise ships continuing to call on schedule.
“The current situation has no influence on the already booked calls at our port or even on booked events in the terminal,” the organisation said.
On 20th July, the coalition parties of Amsterdam City Council called for a ban on ocean-going cruise ships docking at the current location in the city centre, due to the flood of tourists and to curb pollution in the city.
The Council appealed to Amsterdam’s College of Mayor and Aldermen who have yet to respond.
There is no policy proposal yet, nor has there been any mention of a timeline, Cruise Port Amsterdam stressed, adding said it had taken note of the statement and awaited further information.
“We believe this may involve investigating a new location. When the response will come, we do not know at this moment,” it said.
Some cruise ships already berth at Ijmuiden, at the entrance to the North Sea Canal, or at nearby Rotterdam.
