By
Alex Smith |
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and IG RiverCruise have announced a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation and lay out a framework to help the river cruise sector to achieve its sustainability goals.
The agreement will include information exchange between the two associations to ensure the regulatory environment supports sustainable growth of river cruising in Europe. The associations will also share environmental data and industry research to articulate the benefits of cruising to the blue economy, as well as collaborating on research and development in Europe to help achieve sustainability goals.
The memorandum was announced at CLIA’s Port & Destination Dialogue in Hamburg, Germany. Further details will follow at a joint CLIA and IG RiverCruise meeting to take place on 18 October 2023.
“This is a step forward in bringing together the river cruise community and raising our collective voice,” said Andy Harmer, managing director for UK & Ireland at CLIA. Enhanced cooperation between CLIA and IG RiverCruise will bolster our ability to serve as a source of knowledge for Governments and destinations. Collaboration is key to innovation and will benefit the entire European river cruise sector.”
“The river cruise industry already sought references from ocean ships, such as aligning ships design components,” said Arno Reitsma, president of IG RiverCruise and CEO of Scylla. So it is only logical that we also share a common path in the area of sustainability.”