Province questions Amsterdam’s 2035 cruise ship ban amid lack of consultation

Noord-Holland provincial authorities are seeking answers over Amsterdam’s intention to exclude cruise ships from the city as of 2035. Provincial executive Esther Rommel of the VVD says the municipality failed to consult key stakeholders beforehand, among them the province itself. Speaking after multiple inquiries from the Provincial Council, Rommel said she plans to address the issue in talks with the city.

Two weeks ago, Amsterdam’s city administration revealed plans to prohibit large cruise ships from entering the city starting in 2035. At present, the vessels berth just behind Central Station. The final decision will be made by the incoming city council following the municipal elections on March 18. While sea cruises face limits, river cruises can still berth at Amsterdam’s Veemkade Passenger Terminal.

The BBB party in Noord-Holland described Amsterdam’s plan to ban cruise ships as “incomprehensible,” noting that a few years ago, a new sea lock costing around one billion euros was constructed near IJmuiden to accommodate larger vessels. The province itself contributed tens of millions toward the project. Several million euros were invested last year to install shore power at the cruise terminal, so docked ships can run on sustainable electricity instead of their engines.

“Shutting down the cruise terminal would harm the region’s economy,” says BBB faction leader Ingrid de Sain. “It wouldn’t even improve the environment, as passengers would still reach Amsterdam by bus.” Executive Rommel is assessing the exact consequences, while the province plans talks this week with ministries, water authorities, local municipalities along the North Sea Canal, and industry stakeholders.

Amsterdam has been actively working to curb cruise traffic in recent years as part of wider efforts to tackle overtourism and environmental pollution. From 2026, no more than 100 sea cruises will be permitted to berth at the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA) each year, down from approximately 190 in previous years.

River cruise traffic to Amsterdam is also set to decline, with annual visits capped at about 1,150 by 2028, almost half of the roughly 2,300 visits in the past. The municipality is considering moving the cruise terminal out of the city center, potentially to Coenhaven or other outer-city ports, to remove it from the cityscape.

Environmental and sustainability considerations are a major factor behind Amsterdam’s cruise policies. The city authorities point out that cruise ships are particularly polluting, especially in combination with dense city center traffic and emissions. Starting in 2027, all vessels docking in central Amsterdam must connect to shore power, aiming to lower both air pollution and noise levels.

Reducing and ultimately prohibiting cruises may carry economic repercussions. Studies indicate that fewer cruise passengers could lead to significant losses in tourism-related income for the city and local businesses, potentially totaling millions of euros annually.

Rotterdam has been proposed as an alternative port to accommodate the diverted cruise traffic, which would maintain some shipping routes while redistributing the economic effects across regions.