In a joint statement issued on November 5, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) highlighted the importance of the cruise ship sector to the global economy.
According to industry data, the cruise sector supports 1.2 million jobs and generates US$150 billion for the global economy annually. Tourism is vital for small island states, providing a livelihood for millions and contributing substantial socioeconomic benefits.
The two United Nations agencies also recognize the efforts made by the industry, countries, and international organizations to protect the safety, health, and well-being of passengers and crew, as well as the health of the populations in the port states where cruise ships arrive. Since cruise ship operations were suspended worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry has been reviewing and improving its protocols to identify ways to further protect the health of passengers, crew, and the general public.
The joint statement invites governments to use the Guidelines for the gradual and safe resumption of cruise ship operations in the European Union in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic (shared by the IMO in Circular Letter No. 4204/Add.26) to facilitate the sector's recovery in a safe manner, as well as three framework documents (operator framework, passenger framework and seafarer framework) that have been prepared by the UK Chamber of Shipping together with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
The UNWTO and IMO emphasize that the resumption of cruise ship operations will also benefit the wider maritime community, as passenger ships participate in the automated mutual assistance for ship salvage (AMVER) system and are often asked by rescue coordination centers to offer assistance to vessels in distress at sea.
The UNWTO and IMO emphasize that the resumption of cruise ship operations will also benefit the wider maritime community, as passenger ships participate in the automated mutual assistance for ship salvage (AMVER) system and are often asked by rescue coordination centers to offer assistance to vessels in distress at sea.
