From land- to water-use-planning: A consequence based case-study related to cruise ship risk

•Critical analysis of three ship accidents identifies key learning points and similarities with the process sector.•A consequence-based approach to water-use planning in connection with cruise ship activity is proposed.•Anchorage activity design is based on the release scale and the reaction time scale at the environmentally vulnerable receptor.•By proper spill and fire scenarios modelling, emergency planning can reduce environmental risk in a sensitive area.