The Dublin Port Company, which manages the Irish capital’s berths and docks, says it will cut cruise-ship visits to half their present number starting in 2021, with only 80 slots open for that year. The move has drawn opposition from cruise and tourism companies.
So far, 160 cruise ships are set to call this year, up from last year’s 150, and 140 are already booked for 2020. That’s a big growth from 80 in 2010, but DPC says it’s all there will be room for as cargo shipping continues to grow in the port.
Irish tourism companies and promotion bureaus, as well as the cruise lines, have joined to point out that tourism is a vital and growing part of the Irish economy, and that they have worked hard to build Dublin’s reputation for port calls.
But buried in the fracas may be an answer: DPC says it has spent a lot on providing berthing for cruise ships, and that allowing the growth to continue would depend on building new berths for cruise ships, and that would require co-financing or long-term financial guarantees from cruise lines. Oh. I see!
If you are interested in more background, and deeper implications of the Port Company’s action, there’s a longer and more detailed piece in Travel Weekly this week. Recommended reading!