THE environmental cost of the increasing number of cruise ships visiting Scotland is another reason for independence, according to the Scottish Greens.

Many ports in Scotland are anticipating record-breaking numbers of the huge vessels amid increasing concerns over the environmental impact.

West of Scotland MSP Ross Greer said that although the cruise ships bring economic benefits, their success was dependent on the preservation of Scotland’s world-famous natural environment which the visitors were coming to see.

“These giant cruise ships have a pretty devastating impact on that,” he said. “Often the size of small towns, the ships generate large volumes of oily bilge water, sewage sludge and hazardous wastes which often end up in our seas. Running their engines day and night whilst in port also contributes to air and noise pollution for coastal communities.

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“The growth in popularity and size of cruise liners over recent years means we need to update environmental regulations to clean up their use, but due to the nature of the problem it would require the co-operation of the UK Government with any efforts the Scottish Government makes. Given that, the ability to properly protect our coastal communities from overtourism and environmental damage can be chalked up as yet another reason for all of these powers to rest here in Scotland.”

The pandemic does not appear to have dampened demand for cruises and nearly 200 vessels are expected this year in Orkney alone, the first full season since the pandemic began.

Overall in Scotland the cruise tourism industry grew year on year up until the March 2020 lockdown, with almost 900 calls and more than 800,000 cruise passengers visiting Scotland in 2019. Growth is expected to continue in the longer term, as new ships enter the market.

A recent review of cruise tourism in Scotland found that it supported more than 800 employees, generating an estimated £23 million GVA for the Scottish economy, but warns there is increasing concern about the environmental impact and sustainability of cruise operations.

“There is also evidence of local negative impacts arising from the high volume of cruise visitors in some locations in Scotland,” states the review for VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Government.

It goes on to warn that if the socio-environmental impacts are not correctly managed, there is a risk the visitor experience will be diminished and there will be negative impacts on the marine and coastal environment, as well as on coastal and wider communities.

“With visitor numbers continuing to increase, unmanaged growth is unsustainable,” the review says. “Issues include pressure/congestion on the local transport network, demand for amenities such as public toilets and services and overcrowding, not just at visitor attractions but also in town centres, and these effects can be considerable.”

Between 60% and 90% of the businesses and communities surveyed in Orkney and Shetland reported significant negative impacts at certain times, with overcrowding and pressure on services and amenities also highlighted as issues in the Western Isles and in Edinburgh.

The large number of visitors from vessels converging at the same sites is also causing issues, according to the review.

“Ineffective management results in erosion and other environmental degradation,” it states.

“Pressure points exist in Orkney, Shetland, Skye and the Western Isles. They are greatest where infrastructure is modest, outdated, and where there are few route alternatives.

“Feedback from some destinations (eg the Western Isles, Edinburgh and Orkney) suggests that the lack of an effective visitor management strategy will constrain future cruise tourism growth.”

The review adds that there also appears to be a lack of co-ordination at a national level.

“This constrains Scotland’s ability to manage visitor numbers across destinations or respond to changes in consumer preferences,” states the review.

As a result it recommends a “joined-up, coherent approach involving all stakeholders to ensure that cruise develops in line with capacity, appetite and, importantly, the development priorities of the cities, towns and communities that support the cruise tourism industry in Scotland”.

Better environmental monitoring systems at ports could also help to encourage more environmentally sustainable vessels, and port-side developments such as shore power could offset negative impacts arising from cruise tourism.

The review concludes that Scotland could lead the way as a world-leading, responsible cruise destination but to do so a “much more strategic, co-ordinated approach is needed at each level of the cruise ecosystem to address the challenges and opportunities … and ensure that the sector follows a sustainable pattern of development that contributes to the realisation of benefits for communities, destinations and visitors”.

In recent years a number of ports have invested millions of pounds to accommodate greater numbers of cruise ships berthing in Scotland.

Construction of a new Greenock cruise ship visitor centre is underway as part of a £19.2 million development which will welcome passengers and crew from some of the world’s largest and most luxurious vessels to Inverclyde. The development is expected to increase visitor numbers to 150,000 passengers a year and provide a £26m boost to the Scottish economy.

In Shetland, Lerwick Port Authority’s future vision for developing cruise traffic includes possible dredging to increase vessel berthing capacity at Mair’s Pier and a longer-term proposal to create a new deep-water berth capable of accommodating large cruise ships.

A total of £18.9m has been spent on developing Scrabster Harbour in Caithness to allow it to take larger vessels while Inverness is planning an expansion of the port infrastructure that could accommodate specific requirements for cruise ships.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Scotland was the first country to include a fair share of the emissions from international aviation and shipping in its statutory domestic climate targets and we report on these annually.”

They continued: “Reducing emissions from shipping, including cruises, will require co-ordinated international action. The Scottish Government is working with the UK Government to support proposals at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to significantly lower shipping carbon emissions in the global sector, including the option of introducing a global levy on marine fuel to fund research in cleaner technologies and fuels.

“We have also committed to examining the scope for utilising hybrid and low-carbon energy sources in the public-sector marine fleet as part of our vessel replacement programme.

“We continue to recognise the benefits cruise tourism can bring to Scotland’s rural economies, particularly our islands.

“It has the potential to support not only local high streets through direct spend but also local tour operators and visitor attractions.”