Cruise Ships in Charleston

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Katie Zimmerman / 843 723 8035

KatieZ@scccl.org

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Cruise ships could threaten Charleston's ‘delicate balance'

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

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Thursday, January 7, 2010

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Status: On January 11, 2012, the South Carolina Supreme Court granted a petition by Carnival Cruise Lines, the State Ports Authority (SPA) and the City of Charleston to rule on claims brought by the Historic Ansonborough Neighborhood Association, Charlestowne Neighborhood Association, Coastal Conservation League and Preservation Society of Charleston filed in June 2011 against Carnival Cruise Lines. Our suit alleges that provisions of the City of Charleston’s existing ordinances apply to Carnival Cruise Line ships that use Union Pier. Our case seeks to affirm the City’s authority to enforce existing City ordinances, zoning and permitting procedures to preserve residential quality of life while balancing the cruise ship facet of our local tourism economy. Carnival has asked the court to dismiss the suit. The City of Charleston and the SPA intervened to join in Carnival’s request to have the suit dismissed. We look forward to presenting our case before the South Carolina Supreme Court and demonstrating that Carnival Cruise Lines, like all other businesses in our community, must abide by local legal standards. Please continue to check our website for updates, or contact KatieZ@scccl.org if you have questions.

What is the issue?

The South Carolina State Ports Authority (SPA) plans to increase cruise ship visits and build a new cruise terminal. Concerns raised include: increased traffic (pedestrian and vehicular); the visual spectacle of large cruise ships at berth that do not fit the scale or context of historic downtown Charleston; and high levels of harmful pollutants that come from cruise vessels. There is rising concern about the style of economic development that will arise in response to a doubling and tripling of cruise tourism, in contrast to the quiet antiquity that Charleston’s downtown holds dear, as well as historic tourism, fishing, and shellfish industries that rely upon the unique nature of Charleston.

Charleston needs to adopt safeguards, and monitor and enforce compliance with them, particularly since the cruise ship industry has a very long record of non-compliance. Carnival (Holland America, Princess Cruises, Cunard) and Celebrity (Royal Caribbean) are the two corporations bringing cruise ships to Charleston. The cruise ships of these two corporations discharge harmful levels of ammonia, fecal coliform bacteria, zinc, copper, and other pollutants. Over the years, violations have included oil slicks reported by passengers; a whistle blower case over toxic chemical dumping; and whale strikes, including a July 2009 incident of a ship pulling into port with the body of a dead 60-foot fin whale still on its bow. More violations include deliberate falsification of discharge records and installation of equipment to bypass pollution controls (www.cruisejunkie.com).

Cruise ships generate many pollutants, toxins, and carcinogens which can harm marine life when unlawfully discharged. These substances include, but are not limited to: perchloroethylene (PERC) from dry cleaning, incinerator ash, bilge water, sewage, solid waste, and harmful air emissions.

Local and state governments have adopted more protective standards to safeguard their communities. We have formed this partnership to promote comprehensive recommendations to reduce/mitigate cruise ship impacts.

How would it affect South Carolina?

The Charleston area is known for historic, environmental, and quaint tourism traits that benefit South Carolina’s image, economy, and ecology. Increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic, as well as parking and congestion problems during boarding can significantly impact businesses and residents. Charleston’s historic character may be altered by the sight of large cruise ships looming over its skyline. Cruise ships burn dirty bunker fuel resulting in emissions with high levels of harmful air pollutants which cause asthma, heart disease and cancer. Air pollution from the incineration of garbage on board cruise ships is also cause for concern as incinerated plastics release dioxins, furans, and heavy metals into the air. Ships can lawfully discharge treated sewage in Charleston Harbor, but the treatment technology is outdated–there is no monitoring, as in land-based sewage treatment systems. They can discharge untreated sewage and garbage ground to one inch pieces when they are 3 miles out. This pollution affects water quality and ultimately, the economics of our local fishing industry.

What can you do about it?

Sign up for our activist list, and talk to your neighborhood association, business group, or other groups about joining our network.

What Charleston Deserves:

• A cap of 104 ships annually. The SPA asserts that this is the maximum number of ships the cruise market will support. This number should be codified.

• A ship size limit of 3,500 passengers. The SPA states that no ship larger than this will call on Charleston. We have asked for a binding agreement confirming this commitment.

• An enforceable agreement between the city and the cruise lines stating that no waste will be discharged closer than twelve miles from land. The cruise industry’s trade association has made this promise verbally. It should be written and verifiable.

• Shore side power at the new terminal. Other major cruise destinations around the country include electric plug-ins, allowing ships to turn off their engines. Charleston should have the same.

• Shuttle service and offsite parking combined with a parking garage, to eliminate the need to devote 9 acres of prime waterfront property to a surface parking lot.

• Enforcement of the city’s noise ordinance.

• A fee to offset the costs to the city of managing cruise visits. Currently, the city of Charleston receives no income whatsoever from visiting ships.

We have a cleaner City that tells the cruise industry of our high expectations to protect our citizens and attract only high-quality business.

We face the threats of significant volumes of pollution in our harbor, our air, impacts to habitat for fish and shellfish habitat. We face increased health impacts from air pollution traffic congestion, and impacts to the scenic historic downtown area.