Cruise ships will be charged a new tax in Scotland as the country’s Green Party targets pollution and overtourism.
The levy has been designed to tackle the “twin challenges” of emissions and the ships’ impact on local communities.
Lorna Slater, Scottish Green co-leader, said: “We will with our partners in local government to empower councils to charge visiting cruise ships a levy.
“It will mean communities hosting cruise ships get the investment they deserve, and our aim would be to encourage greener ships.”
Ms Slater said the scheme was “essential” as one ship could produce the same number of emissions as 12,000 cars. She added that cruise operators “have been allowed to get away with polluting for too long”.
Despite the bans, the world’s largest ever cruise ship is due to launch in January. Icon of the Seas, the latest Royal Caribbean vessel, has been on its second sea trials.
The team recently unveiled the crew bedrooms which have been specially designed for the new ship.
The Scottish Greens also announced an extension of free ferry travel for people under the age of 22 living on the Scottish islands.
Source: express.co.uk