Mayor Christian Estrosi of Nice has voiced his strong opposition to large cruise ships, proposing a ban on vessels exceeding 190 meters and 900 passengers, which could cut port traffic by 70%. However, implementing this decree is complex due to shared authority with the Port Authority and Chamber of Commerce. Despite resistance, the cruise industry is expanding, with 117 planned stops in Nice for 2024, raising concerns over environmental impacts and the need for sustainable practices.
Mayor Christian Estrosi’s Stance Against Large Cruise Ships
During his speech on January 20, Mayor Christian Estrosi of Nice expressed his strong opposition to the leisure cruise ships that dock in his city each year. He aligns himself with other coastal leaders in the Mediterranean who are increasingly vocal against these ‘floating cities’ that can accommodate up to 5,000 passengers.
Estrosi has proposed to ‘prohibit, depending on contracts signed in 2025, these large vessels,’ suggesting that only ships measuring no more than 190 meters and carrying a maximum of 900 passengers should be allowed. This measure could result in a significant 70% reduction in port traffic, according to the City’s data. However, the question remains: can a mayor genuinely impose a ban on such cruises? The answer is not straightforward.
Challenges in Implementing a Cruise Ban
While Estrosi has declared his intent to issue a decree to limit cruise sizes, legal expert Me Benoît Le Goaziou clarifies that the process is more complicated. ‘The decision to accept or deny a cruise ship is not solely within the mayor’s jurisdiction; it also involves the Port Authority and the Chamber of Commerce that manage arrivals and departures,’ he explained. A mayor cannot unilaterally ban specific vessels through a decree, as this authority does not fall under his purview.
Since Estrosi now oversees the management of Nice’s port, due to his role as president of the metropolis, he may find it easier to engage in discussions regarding cruise regulations. Nonetheless, implementing such changes is challenging, given that cruise schedules are often set two years in advance. In fact, over 100 stops are already planned for Nice in 2025.
Moreover, because Nice’s port is relatively small, many cruise ships remain offshore, transferring passengers via smaller boats. These vessels do not technically dock within Nice’s territory, complicating any potential bans. Maritime law stipulates that each nation governs its territorial waters, but in France, the state holds authority over these maritime areas, similar to most European nations.
As a testament to the cruise industry’s growth, Nice is set to accommodate 117 cruise stops in 2024. Other French ports, like Cannes, La Rochelle, and Bordeaux, are also grappling with the presence of cruise ships. Despite growing resistance, the cruise sector is thriving, with the number of leisure vessels doubling since the 2000s. This increase brings with it significant social, economic, and environmental implications.
Recent data from the NGO Transport and Environment highlights that CO2 emissions from cruise ships surged by 17% between 2019 and 2022. In Europe, 215 cruise ships collectively emitted 7.4 megatons of carbon, equivalent to the emissions produced by 50,000 round-trip flights from Paris to New York in just one year. The Mediterranean region alone hosted 27 million cruise passengers in 2022, as reported in the MED 2050 report published by Plan Bleu on January 16. The growing numbers underscore the pressing need for sustainable practices in the cruise tourism industry.