Mallorca will limit cruise ship calls from 2022

Mallorca will limit cruise ship calls from 2022


December 22, 2021 | Residents of Palma de Mallorca lament the pollution caused by cruise ships and overtourism. To counteract both factors, limited the Balearic Government together with individual shipping companies and the International Association of Cruise Lines (CLIA) visited the cruise ships in the island's capital, Palma.

According to the Mallorca newspaper, 2019 cruise ships called at Palma's port in 538. That year, more than 55 cruise ship guests stayed in the city on 10.000 days. More than 15.000 cruise tourists were counted in one day.

From January 2022 onwards, the progressive development will be halted, especially for environmental reasons. For the next five years, no more than three cruise ships will be allowed to call at Palma's terminals per day. Since numerous attempts have already been scheduled for the coming year, a special regulation applies for 2022. A maximum of four cruise ships are permitted on 20 days, to moor in Palma. The cap agreed between the Balearic Government, the CLIA and representatives of Costa Crociere, MSC, TUI Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Marella Cruises will apply from 2023. Furthermore, in future only one of the three incoming ships may have a capacity of more than 5.000 passengers. As far as the maximum of 8.500 passengers is concerned, it has been determined that it is a weekly average. On some days, more than 8.500 day visitors may travel by ship.

Mallorca - cruise ship at the Estació Maritima num. 2

Mallorca - cruise ship at Estació Maritima num. 2


Under Spanish law, the Balearic Government is not allowed to introduce such restrictions. The port authority has no power to limit the arrival of cruise ships in Palma de Mallorca. The authorization for the limitation of ship calls lies with an authority subordinate to the Spanish Ministry of Transport, the "Puertos del Estado". Mallorca's port authorities (APB) agreed that every ship should be allowed a stopover in Palma's port if it so desired and if there is space in the port. It remains to be seen to what extent reason triumphs and the partners stick to the agreements made.

Cruise offers Mallorca