CLIA members focused on a range of environmental, safety and tourism challenges in the cruise industry
By
Rebecca Gibson |
More than 90 cruise line and Executive Partner Members attended the Cruise Line International Association’s (CLIA) first Technical and Regulatory Forum in London, UK, on 3 June.
Held at the offices of Holman Fenwick Willan – a CLIA Diamond Executive Partner – the inaugural session focused on a range of regulatory and technical challenges facing the cruise industry today including those related to the environment, tourism and consumer affairs, safety, security, and health. Attendees also discussed the work CLIA has undertaken with the International Maritime Organization and other regulatory bodies around the world.
Keynote speakers included Bud Darr, senior vice president of Technical and Regulatory Affairs at CLIA Global; David Dingle, chairman of Carnival UK and vice chairman of CLIA Europe; Richard Pruitt, director of Environmental and Public Health Programs at Royal Caribbean Cruises; and Tom Strang, senior vice president of Marine Operations at Costa Cruises.
“CLIA’s transformation into a global association representing the interests of the entire cruise industry has translated into a greater need to foster debate between cruise lines and all other companies that are active in the industry’s value chain,” said Dingle. “We are glad that CLIA’s first Technical and Regulatory Forum has served to bring so many key players together and help the entire industry truly speak with one voice.”
The Technical and Regulatory Forum is part of CLIA’s Executive Partner Programme, which serves companies and organisations active in the cruise industry’s value chain. Within this framework, CLIA organises events and conferences that are tailor-made for the different stakeholders the association serves.
“Cruising is a dynamic, forward-thinking and rapidly evolving industry within the broader shipping sector,” said Bo Larsen, vice president for Port Engagement and European Executive Partner Members at CLIA. “As the cruise industry grows, so it is inevitable that we face greater scrutiny from regulators who are keen to ensure that cruise operations are safe and sustainable. We believe that CLIA’s first Technical and Regulatory Forum will have served to keep our member cruise line members and executive partners engaged in the association’s dealings with national, regional and international legislators and regulators around the globe.”