Environmentalists block cruise ship entry in Marseille

In Marseille, environmental activists from Extinction Rebellion and Stop Croisieres staged a protest against cruise ship pollution by forming a chain of canoes at the port entrance. This demonstration successfully forced the Germany-owned Aidastella, which can accommodate around 2,000 passengers, to turn back. The activists highlighted concerns over the environmental impact of cruise ships, including air and sea pollution, the use of toxic heavy fuel oil, and the detrimental effects on coastal wildlife and climate change. The cruise industry has seen significant growth in Marseille, with passenger numbers increasing from 1.5 million to 2.5 million between 2022 and 2023. Critics argue that the economic benefits touted by supporters of cruise liners are overshadowed by the environmental costs. They claim that cruise passengers tend to spend their money on board rather than in local communities, undermining the potential economic benefits for stopover ports. Demonstrations against cruise ship pollution have occurred in various European cities, including Venice and Amsterdam, where similar concerns have led to restrictions on cruise ship docking. The formation of Stop Croisieres during the COVID-19 pandemic was a response to the visible restoration of nature in France, contrasting with the ongoing pollution from cruise ships that remained in port with engines running. In March 2023, local residents filed a legal complaint regarding ocean traffic pollution, which frequently exceeded European Union limits. A study by NGO Transport and Environment revealed that cruise ships in European waters emitted over eight million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2022, equivalent to the emissions from 50,000 flights between Paris and New York.