The city of Nice is backtracking on an earlier decision to ban large cruise ships.
Mayor Christian Estrosi has taken on board local business concerns over his earlier decision to propose a new compromise plan for cruise ship calls.
Last month Estrosi announced cruise ships carrying more than 900 passengers would not be permitted at nearby Villefranche-sur-mer.
A new proposal, set to be submitted to the port authority this week, is a compromise with limits on cruise ship traffic.
Ships with capacity for up to 2,500 passengers will be allowed at Villefranche-sur-mer, but only one ship at a time.
Smaller vessels under 450 passengers are allowed to sail into Nice’s port.
Large cruise ships tender passengers ashore at Villefranche-sur-mer.
This strikes a balance of ‘public health interests and supports the local economy’ the Mayor said.
It would mean, based on this summer’s cruise ship schedule, only about 65 of the 90 cruise ship calls would be allowed.
There has been no word on when the new revised cruise ship plan would become effective.
