Cruise ship companies are being urged by Greenland to limit sailings through fjords after concerns about excess noise and the impact on wildlife.
Naalakkersuisut, the Greenland government, said earlier this month that the vessels are burdening the local population and affecting natural areas.
Greenlandic fjords, large valleys filled with ocean water, attract cruises due to their striking glacial landscapes. They are home to whales, Arctic foxes, musk oxes and human coastal settlements.
The government has urged cruises to “avoid or limit” sailings within fjord areas as much as possible to reduce the pressure that huge ships are having on the area.
Alongside sending its plea to cruise companies and ship captains, Greenland said it is developing zoning restrictions in accordance with its Tourism Act.
The zoning will delineate areas open to cruise ships those that are subject to restrictions.
Greenland’s tourism sector continues to expand every year. The number of tourists visiting the country totalled almost 180,000 in 2025, an eight per cent increase from 2024.
However, cruise visitor statistics have fluctuated, possibly due to the increase in air passengers due to the opening of the new international airport in Nuuk in 2024.
In 2025, a total of 93,897 cruise passengers were registered in Greenland, compared to 95,185 in 2024, showing a slight decrease of 1.4 per cent.
Its largest market is the United States, making up over half of cruise passengers in 2025, followed by Germany, then the UK.
The government said it views the growing interest in Greenland as “positive” and recognises the contribution cruise tourism makes to activity and revenue in local communities, supporting employment and business development in cities and settlements.
However, it said it has announced plans to limit cruises in fjord areas due to its commitment that “tourism development takes place on a sustainable basis and with respect for the local population, nature and wildlife.”
“Responsible tourism development requires that an appropriate balance is maintained between commercial interests and the protection of Greenland’s natural and cultural values,” the government said in its statement.
The cruise restriction zones are being planned in collaboration with local communities, businesses and other stakeholders, and will come into force after the consultation.
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