According to the new WPSP Port Economic Impact Barometer report, a limited number of European ports are reporting some activity on passenger and mini- cruise services with major safety restrictions in place. 

There are confirmed reports of limited ferry and river cruise services returning to operation as Continental Europe emerges from the lockdown. However, in most parts of the rest of the world, a complete ban remains in place on cruise and passenger vessel services due to immigration controls, with passengers only being permitted to enter in the case of repatriation. 

With many cruise vessels inactive, competition has been heating up between ports to attract owner operators to use their anchorage berths with reduced fee incentives. In some cases, this has led to a shortage of anchorage space at ports due to idled container vessel tonnage, with many liquid bulk tankers and ro-ro vessels being used for floating storage during this low demand period.