A court ruled that the municipality could not raise the levy on tour-boat passengers to €2.50 in 2024. The rate returns to €1.50 per passenger, and the tour-boat operator that challenged the levy will be repaid the excess it paid for 2024 and 2025.

The court found that the additional €0.50 was used for measures including free public transport for children, a teachers’ allowance, greening public space and educational support, which did not benefit professional shipping. The municipality had argued that the higher charge would make visitors contribute more fairly and pointed to deficits in its boating programme, but the court found this insufficient to justify the increase.