Green Party's cruise ship tax to 'benefit Greenock and Inverclyde'

Co-leader of the Scottish Greens, Lorna Slater, revealed the plan to let councils 'charge visiting cruise ships a levy' at the party's conference in Dunfermline, suggesting that it will drive further investment into the communities that host the vessels.

Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe said he has been 'championing' a cruise ship levy through COSLA and now the Scottish Government is giving it serious consideration as an amendment to the Visitor Levy Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament.

Stephen McCabe (Image: Inverclyde Council)

Allaying fears of a negative effect on the district, Cllr McCabe said: "A cruise ship levy would raise funds that could be used to enhance the tourism offer we have in Inverclyde.

"I doubt very much that a levy of a few pounds per passenger would have a detrimental impact on the number of cruise liners or passengers visiting Greenock when people already pay hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of pounds to go on a cruise.

"However, any power to implement a levy would be discretionary and we would consult widely before a decision was taken on whether or not to introduce one."

READ MORE: Opening date announced for The Wyllieum at Greenock Ocean Terminal

Relaying the funds raised through the proposed tax into local authority cash pots would not be the only potential benefit of the scheme, according to Ms Slater, who also promoted the possible environmental impact.

She said: “This will mean communities that host cruise ships get the investment they deserve, and it is my intention to ensure that councils are empowered to charge the most polluting ships more.

“This is essential - a typical ship produces the same amount of carbon emissions as 12,000 cars; operators have been allowed to get away with polluting for too long.

Lorna Slater (Image: PA)

“A cruise ship levy will empower councils to help tackle this global problem.”

West Scotland Green MSP Ross Greer said the move would be 'of huge benefit to Greenock'.

He added: "For all the benefits tourism brings, it also creates huge pressure on communities like Greenock and puts a real strain on services and infrastructure, right down to our roads and pavements.

"This Green levy will raise vital funds for communities who host cruise ships and encourage the ships to reduce the damage they do to the environment."

READ MORE: Dedicated Tourist Group volunteers say cruise season one of the busiest yet

Greenock's new ocean terminal welcomed almost 90 ships during 2023 - 25 per cent more than last year - and volunteers who support the passengers say it was one of the busiest seasons so far.

Peel Ports, operators of the site, said the announcement was 'not something they could provide a comment on at this stage'.

The levy is intended to complement the overnight visitor levy, which does not apply to tourists on cruise ships.

The Greens said the definition of cruise ship for the purpose of the levy had yet to be worked out in discussion with councils.