THE island city of Key West, Florida (pictured), will later this year vote on extensive cruise reforms, which include banning large cruise ships from utilising its port. Passenger numbers disembarking from Key West would also be limited to 1,500 per day, as part of the Key West Committee for Safer...
THE island city of Key West, Florida (pictured), will later this year vote on extensive cruise reforms, which include banning large cruise ships from utilising its port.
Passenger numbers disembarking from Key West would also be limited to 1,500 per day, as part of the Key West Committee for Safer Cleaner Ship’s stated goals, to be voted on in Nov.
The Committee successfully pushed for the referendum by acquiring 2,500 signatures from Key West’s citizens, on measures which also include the prioritisation of cruise lines with the best environmental and health records.
Nearly 400 cruise ships, carrying 1.2 million passengers, visited Key West in 2019, according to the Miami Herald, with port calls to potentially drop by 95% if the referendum passes.
“We must balance the limited benefits of cruise ships against the larger health, environmental and economic interests of Key West,” the Committee states.
The city’s maritime pilots have filed a suit in Key West’s US District Court to have the changes thrown out.
