Karl WP Beyer January 24, 2026 – Amsterdam is pushing ahead with its strategy against overtourism and emissions. The city council, consisting of the mayor and aldermen, plans to develop an option in the coming months to completely ban sea travel from 2035 onwards. This follows a current review of the possibility of relocating Passenger Terminal Amsterdam to the remote Coenhaven area..
While relocation is considered feasible, according to city officials it would cost around €85 million and remains economically uncertain. A complete phase-out of cruises would mean a loss of revenue of approximately €46 million over 30 years, but this could be offset by repurposing the land.
Amsterdam - Royal Palace
Important for shipping companies and passengers: No immediate ban has been decided. Operations will continue as usual until further notice; the next city government after the local elections on March 18, 2026, will evaluate the options and then continue the political process towards a decision.
Amsterdam had already tightened its regulations for the coming years. Following a council mandate from the summer of 2023, specific restrictions were implemented: From 2026, the number of seagoing vessel calls is to be reduced to a maximum of 100 per year, the Port of Amsterdam (PTA) is to be reduced to one berth, and shore power will be mandatory from 2027. River cruises will remain possible in principle; they are considered a separate segment in the plans.
Current status of the resolutions in the city council
The city council has a fundamental resolution from 2023 that politically demands the end of seagoing vessels in the city center. The most recent, concrete steps for 2026 and 2027, as well as the goal of relocating seagoing vessel handling from Veemkade, the current berth for ocean-going cruise ships, by 2035, subsequently need to be translated into concrete measures. As of January 24, 2026, a final city council resolution to completely end sea voyages from 2035 onwards has not yet been passed. Even in Amsterdam, things are never as bad as they seem.
