Charleston approves cruise ship ordinance

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Charleston City Council has approved a cruise ship ordinance that opponents say doesn’t do enough to regulate the number of cruises to and from the city.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reported (http://bit.ly/rdzdHp ) the ordinance passed Tuesday requires public hearings if the cruise industry wants to expand beyond 104 stops a year.

A proposal to put binding limits on the number of cruises was never considered. Preservation and neighborhood leaders urged the council to take up the stricter proposal even as supporters of the cruise industry argued for the ordinance that passed.

Mayor Joe Riley says the city’s credibility with international shipping is at stake. Riley says if the city can regulate the number of cruises, nothing would prevent it from regulating the number of container ships.

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Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.postandcourier.com