Cruise ship juggernaut Carnival could be temporarily banned from docking in U.S. ports

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – With Vancouver’s busy cruise ship season in full swing, there’s a court ruling in the U.S. that may threaten it.

At least one environmental group is waiting to hear if Carnival will be temporarily banned from docking in American waters.

Carnival’s cruise ships have been on probation since 2016, after the company was found to have dumped garbage and grey matter into open waters, including Alaska.

Earlier this week, a judge in Miami heard Carnival may be breaking the terms of its probation.

“We need to make sure that’s not occurring here or anywhere,” said Joe Foy with the B.C. environmental group Wilderness Committee.

He says the decision is something all levels of government should be invested in.

“We would want assurances from our city, provincial and federal governments that the cruise ship industry in general is being adequately monitored — not only here in the City of Vancouver, but throughout the whole travel in B.C.”

He wants to see beefed-up fisheries patrols. “We would want to see agencies like Environment Canada alleviate our fears and explain what is being done to monitor this industry.”

But he notes the cruise ship industry can have a positive environmental impact.

“The cruise ship industry … at least, pushes back on over-logging in our coastal regions because the cruise ship industry brings a lot of money into the province.”

Carnival has taken to Twitter, saying it takes the judge’s comments seriously. It also says it is confident its ships will be operating as scheduled.

The U.S. judge’s ruling on the temporary ban is expected in June.

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