A group of environmentalists in Marseille, France, formed a human chain using small boats to block the port, drawing attention to the environmental impact of cruise ships and their connection to global warming. The demonstration, led by the group Stop Croisières and Extinction Rebellion, involved approximately 20 individuals who used canoes to block the entrance to the harbor on Saturday, September 21. The protest caused the German cruise ship AIDAstella and two other cruise ships to divert from their course, while a ferry and a containership were also affected.
The environmental group highlighted the rapid growth of the cruise industry in Marseille, with 2.5 million cruise passengers in 2023 compared to 1.5 million ferry passengers. They called for more investment in ferry operations and criticized the development of a new cruise terminal. The protestors demanded an end to the cruise industry and urged the port to prioritize ferry services over cruise tourism, citing record-high air and water temperatures in the Mediterranean during the summer.
The police responded to the demonstration, arresting about 20 protestors and reopening the port after a few hours. Local political leaders condemned the protest, emphasizing the danger posed to passengers by the emergency maneuvers of the cruise ships. The Cruise Line International Association also criticized the demonstration as illegal and dangerous. This protest in Marseille is part of a series of actions across Europe by environmental groups like ECAN, aiming to raise awareness about the environmental impact of cruise tourism and demand changes in port operations.
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