Dutch Activists Prevent Cruise Ships from Docking in Amsterdam Port

The Dutch environmentalist group Extinction Rebellion has recently targeted cruise ships in an effort to raise awareness about pollution and environmental impact. The group made headlines after blocking two cruise ships from exiting the locks leading to Amsterdam. Extinction Rebellion’s actions were prompted by a report from the NGO Transport & Environment, which highlighted the rapid growth in cruise travel and called for a tax on cruise tickets to support the development of alternative, non-carbon fuels.

In a bold move, seven protestors from Extinction Rebellion chained and glued themselves to a roadway bridge and gate at the Ijmuiden locks, preventing the Royal Caribbean International cruise ship Jewel of the Seas from returning to Amsterdam. Despite police presence, the protestors were not removed as they were not posing a danger to anyone. The cruise ship eventually docked at the terminal in Ijmuiden to allow passengers to disembark and catch flights.

The following day, protestors returned to block another cruise ship, the Seven Seas Mariner, causing a delay of about three hours. The Port Authority called the police to intervene, and the cruise ship was able to reach Amsterdam without further disruptions. The protests come amidst plans by the city government of Amsterdam to limit and relocate cruise ships away from the city center dock, with potential bans on cruise ships by 2035. The future of Extinction Rebellion’s protests against the cruise industry remains uncertain.

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