More than 90 cruise lines and Associate Executive Members attended the first Technical and Regulatory Forum held by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in London, UK, on June 3.
The event was held at the offices of Holman Fenwick Willan – CLIA Diamond Executive Partner – and the inaugural session focused on a range of regulatory and technical challenges facing the cruise industry today, including those related to the environment, tourism, consumers, safety, and health. Attendees also highlighted CLIA's role in relation to the International Maritime Organization and other regulatory bodies worldwide.
The keynote speakers were Bud Darr, senior vice president of Technical and Regulatory Affairs at CLIA global; David Dingle, president of Carnival UK and vice president of CLIA Europe; Richard Pruitt, director of Environment 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 resulted in a greater need to foster dialogue among cruise lines and all other companies operating across the industry’s value chain,” said Dingle. “We are pleased that the first Regulatory Technical Forum has served to bring together so many key figures from across the industry to truly speak with one voice.”
The Technical and Regulatory Forum is part of CLIA's Executive Partner Program, which serves companies and organizations working across the cruise industry value chain. Within this framework, CLIA organizes events and conferences tailored to the various groups within the association.
“Cruising is a dynamic, forward-looking, and rapidly evolving industry within the broader shipping sector,” said Bo Larsen, Vice President of Ports Engagement and European Executive of Associate Members at CLIA. “As the cruise industry grows, it is inevitable that we will face increased 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 has served to keep our participating cruise line members and Executive Partners engaged in a network of relationships in partnership with national, regional, and international legislators and regulators from around the world.”.
