MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Amsterdam bans cruise ships from the city center

It means the central cruise terminal on the River IJ near Amsterdam's main train station will close. It is the latest measure to clamp down on mass tourism in the city.

Following a growing tendency in Europe, such as what happened with Venice, Amsterdam's council has banned cruise ships from the city centre as it tries to limit visitor numbers and curb pollution.

Politicians said the vessels were not in line with the city's sustainable ambitions.

It means the central cruise terminal on the River IJ near Amsterdam's main train station will close. It is the latest measure to clamp down on mass tourism in the city.

The council has been trying to scrub up, banning cannabis smoking on the streets of the red light district.

In March the council launched an on line campaign urging young British men considering holding their bachelor parties in Amsterdam to stay away.

Cruise ships had become a symbol of the problem of over-tourism, and the motion to move them out of the centre passed by a large majority.

Amsterdam has become a victim of its own popularity, attracting 20 million annual visitors - some drawn by its party city reputation.

“Polluting cruise ships are not in line with the sustainable ambitions of our city,” the centre-right party D66, which runs the city along with social democrats and environmentalists, said in a statement.

The passage of cruise ships, it said, was also not compatible with plans for new bridge between the city's historic southern district and the Noord district, the focus of recent development projects.