Cruise Norway managing director Inge Tangeras believes Norway’s long coastline gives it the capacity to take even more cruise tourists and detailed research is needed before restrictions are placed on ships visiting Bergen.

“We haven’t seen facts on the table yet,” said Tangeras of the situation in Bergen.

“The whole process is not based on facts, measurements, analysis, discussion and involvement [of stakeholders], which should happen when decisions of this magnitude are taken.”

Long-term strategy needed

Tangeras said that instead of targeting cruiseships, there should be a long-term strategy covering all segments of tourism in Bergen.

The cruise business is only a small part of the total tourist flow in the city — about 25%. I think all aspects should be taken into consideration

Inge Tangeras

“The cruise business is only a small part of the total tourist flow in the city — about 25%,” he told TradeWinds. “I think all aspects should be taken into consideration.”

Cruise Norway is a marketing organisation owned by Norwegian cruise ports and what it describes as destination companies.

Tangeras said the cruise lines would like to contribute towards finding a solution but stakeholders have yet to be “invited to the table”.

However, Port of Bergen director Johnny Breivik said that back in October Bergen City Council agreed the port should open talks with the cruise lines over planned restrictions.

Global carbon cut

Trade body Cruise Lines International Association last month pledged a 40% cut in carbon emissions globally by 2030.

There are a number of facts that could be put on the table to get a better picture of the problems and how they can be solved before jumping to conclusions

Inge Tangeras

"There are a number of facts that could be put on the table to get a better picture of the problems and how they can be solved before jumping to conclusions,” former consultant Tangeras said.

Are there other solutions rather than simply reducing the number of cruiseships visiting Bergen, he asked.

Tangeras, who lives in Bergen, claimed much of the discontent is being driven by media reports of poor air quality in the summer and crowded streets.

“When the media keeps saying it, people believe it,” he said, pointing a finger of responsibility towards Bergen politicians for capping cruiseship visits.

Cruise Norway said in an earlier statement that the number of cruiseship visitors to Norway is expected to rise by nearly 7% this year to 800,000. Last year, was a record — 750,000 — mainly from Germany and the UK but increasingly from the US and southern European markets.

Tangeras said that Norwegian ports and destinations generally welcome cruiseships because of the revenue generated. He commended the Norwegian Maritime Authority for its ongoing consultation with stakeholders over proposed legislation affecting cruiseships.