Dutch Environmentalists Protest to Delay Cruise ships and Tanker Operations.

Three cruise ships and an oil product tanker were impacted on August 18 due to protests by the Dutch branch of Extinction Rebellion, aiming to raise awareness about environmental issues. This marked the second weekend that the group had blocked the entrances to the Port of Amsterdam, with plans for more actions, including a mass demonstration at the end of August. The group called for an immediate end to the cruise industry, citing the climate and ecological crisis as urgent reasons for their protest.

Protestors tied themselves to lock gates at the Noordersluis and Zeeslius in Ijmuiden, west of Amsterdam, delaying the passage of three cruise ships into the city. Royal Caribbean International’s Serenade of the Seas and the German-operated Amera were among the affected vessels. The British-operated cruise ship Ambition diverted to Ijumuiden, with buses provided for passengers to reach the city. Last week, protesters also caused Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas to dock in Ijumuiden.

The group successfully blocked the product tanker Sten Neptun, demanding a meeting with the new Minister of Climate and Green Growth, Sophie Hermans. The group criticized the minister for what they perceived as a lack of seriousness in her responses. Former Minister of Justice Dilan Yesilgöz dismissed the protests as a nuisance, calling for the group to cease their actions. Despite police intervention, the protestors were released without arrest, allowing the cruise ships and tanker to proceed to the port.

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