France proposes new passenger tax for cruise ships
The France Senate has voted to pass a new cruise passenger fee at all French ports.
The €15 per passenger fee, if eventually passed, would be used to mitigate the impact of environmental damage caused by cruise ship pollution.
It would be payable at all French ports a cruise ship visits.
They say it would generate about €75 million which would be used to safeguard port area and coastal areas from the effects of pollution.
It forms part of an amendment to the France’s 2026 budget and still needs to go to the National Assembly first.
Trade group CLIA criticised the proposal, saying the cruise industry already complies with the EU Emissions Trading System.
“Cruise operations in Europe are already contributing substantially to national and EU climate funds. Adding a €15 per passenger fee at every French port of call would effectively be taxing the same emissions twice,’ CLIA said.
“Cruise visitors represent only a small share of maritime traffic, yet generate significant economic value for French destinations.”
There was some opposition to the fee as currently, it doesn’t differentiate between cruise ships and coastal ferries.
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