Scotland Considers Allowing Local Cruise Ship Levies

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on granting councils the power to tax cruise ships to address environmental and infrastructure concerns.

• Scottish councils may gain discretionary powers to impose levies on cruise ships docking at local ports under new proposals.
• The consultation follows growing cruise tourism, with 1,000 ship visits bringing 1.2 million passengers to Scotland in 2024.
• Orkney Islands Council supports the idea, estimating a £5 per passenger levy could generate £1 million annually for local infrastructure and services.
• The proposed levy would apply to cruise ships carrying paying passengers on multi-night journeys but exclude ferries and private vessels.
• Supporters, including the Scottish Greens, highlight the environmental and infrastructure pressures caused by cruise tourism, while critics stress the need to consider economic impacts.

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