MPI turned away one cruise ship over summer

Friday, 15 March 2024

MPI is praising cruise ship operators for abiding by New Zealand’s stringent biosecurity rules, with only one failing to get in - the Pacific Adventure, previously called Golden Princess (file photo).

Over the past summer, of the 54 cruise ships that entered New Zealand’s waters on 1100 port visits, one was turned away.

The Ministry for Primary Industries is praising cruise ship operators for largely abiding by the country’s strong biofouling standards in place to protect New Zealand’s unique marine environment.

The one ship barred entry was a cruise ship that tried to arrive in the Bay of Plenty from Sydney on November 23.

The P&O cruise ship Pacific Adventure was originally scheduled for a 13 day tour of New Zealand but abandoned it for Tasmania instead. This was due to invasive species on the hull, and an inability to clean it off due to bad weather.

Three other ships were allowed in but only after having their itineraries severely restricted.

Cruise ships bring hundreds of thousands of passengers to New Zealand’s shores.

Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson said the four non-compliant vessels this summer compared with 11 for the 2022/23 cruise season, when a smaller number of ships and port visits took place.

“The drop in biofouling issues is a good result when you consider there’s been an increase of about 25% in vessels arriving this season,” he said.

“Biosecurity New Zealand has worked closely with cruise companies to help them understand and meet our biofouling rules, which are among the strongest in the world for good reason – they ensure visitors and New Zealanders will enjoy our special marine areas, such as Fiordland, for generations to come.“

Anderson praised the new cruise providers who had recently started operating in New Zealand and the speed with which they adapted to meeting New Zealand’s requirements.

“I want to thank the cruise industry for their efforts to combat biofouling as it continues to be a major biosecurity threat.

“We know that almost 90% of the exotic marine species already in New Zealand likely arrived here as marine growth on the submerged surfaces of international vessels.”

Anderson said Biosecurity New Zealand would review the season when it finishes in April and adjust restrictions and procedures where required.