The Catalonia minister for climate action is expected to introduce a third pollution tax for cruise ships that call at its port “in the coming weeks”.
Passengers already pay a tourist tax which stands at €3 for a stay of more than 12 hours and €1 for a stay of under 12 hours, plus a surcharge of €1.75 specifically set for Barcelona.
Teresa Jordà, Minister of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda of the Government of Catalonia, announced the move in response to a letter sent by the mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, to ministry of transport and the Port of Barcelona last month.
Jordà said the decision to impose further tax on cruise lines is part of the Government of Catalonia’s effort to regulate emissions in Spain’s port areas.
She said: “We expect to be able to present, in the coming weeks, the government’s proposal to regulate emissions in the port areas of Catalonia.
“We will be delighted to be able to share with Barcelona town hall the work carried out and the formula for this tax.”
Royal Caribbean International’s Wonder of the Seas; Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic; and Virgin Voyages’ latest ship Valiant Lady are just some of the vessels homeporting in Barcelona this summer.
Venice has put plans to introduce an entry fee of up to €10 a day on hold until 2023. The last-minute postponement was made ahead of the launch this month.
The city’s authorities who are trying to curb overtourism voted to delay the introduction.