Protesters affiliated with the NGO Extinction Rebellion temporarily obstructed the departure of the cruise ship “ZUIDERDAM” from the port of Rotterdam. Activists effectively prevented the ship from leaving by blocking access to the mooring bollards.
This incident marks the second time in four years that Extinction Rebellion has targeted this particular cruise ship.
Approximately 60 activists from Extinction Rebellion and one of its affiliates, Scientist Rebellion, accessed the berth of the ship ZUIDERDAM and obstructed the mooring bollards using homemade tripods and human lockdowns.
Extinction Rebellion is demanding the cessation of all cruise ship calls to the port of Rotterdam to reduce climate-related and health-related emissions. The group argues that since there are no readily available zero-emission fuels on a large scale, discontinuing all port calls is the only option to achieve zero emissions.
The port of Rotterdam is considering the installation of cold-ironing facilities, which would allow ships to switch off their generators while docked. However, Extinction Rebellion dismisses this proposal, claiming that it would deprive other industries in need of renewable power.
The NGO specifically targets cruise ship emissions among all maritime sectors due to their perception of cruise ships as primarily recreational in nature.
The opinions expressed herein are the author’s and not necessarily those of News2Sea.
#Climate #Activists #Block #Departure #Cruise #Ship #Zuiderdam #Rotterdam #Port