‘A good cruise is one that doesn’t come’: Europe’s ports bear brunt of ship pollution

As health and environmental impact of cruise ships becomes clearer, Mediterranean ports consider bans and restrictions

Port cities around Europe are increasingly considering bans or restrictions on cruise ships as their health and environmental impacts become clearer.

The 218 cruise ships operating in Europe last year emitted more than four times more sulphur oxides than all the continent’s cars combined, according to the NGO Transport & Environment (T&E). Sulphur dioxide causes respiratory and cardiovascular problems and its pollution is a key component of acid rain.