The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) presents at the G7 Transport Ministerial Session on Maritime Connectivity.
CLIA, represented by its European President, Pierfrancesco Vago, participated together with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) in the G7 Transport Ministerial Session on G7 Maritime Connectivity, held on April 13, 2024.
At the meeting, Mr. Vago expressed the cruise industry's solidarity with the wider maritime sector on the imperative to ensure the safety of seafarers, given the current security threats in the Red Sea and elsewhere.
CLIA stressed that the maritime sector is united in condemning the attacks and urges the international community to take appropriate measures to protect seafarers at the next IMO Maritime Safety Committee meeting, to be held from 15 to 24 May 2024, and to develop appropriate solutions to the crisis.
The cruise industry employs a third of the world's seafarers and believes that safety must be an integral part of any international response to the security situation.
The discussions also focused on the infrastructure investments that will be necessary to preserve global maritime connectivity in light of international commitments.
Adaptability of the global maritime network to reflect the new needs for decarbonized energy sources will be a key factor in maintaining global connectivity while meeting climate goals.
Mr. Vago stated: “This has been an important opportunity to raise the vital issue of seafarers’ safety with the G7 ministers.”
“It was also valuable to discuss the industry’s transition to a future of low-carbon and net-zero carbon fuels, and what this means for future maritime connectivity. It will be vital to ensure that the new fuel types and the necessary port infrastructure are available in the right places to avoid bottlenecks on shipping routes.”
The cruise industry is leading a radical shift in the technologies and fuels used in maritime transport to address climate change.
In the next two decades, starting today, ships will sail using new types of fuels as fossil fuels transition to low and net-zero carbon fuels.
The new technologies that the sector is deploying and testing on board cruise ships
will also be fundamental for wider application in the maritime sector.
To help identify future needs, CLIA recently announced that it has launched a study on global investment needs to accelerate the sector's energy transition.
This study will include a mapping of infrastructure and energy needs in cruise ports.
The cruise industry plays a vital role in maintaining and enhancing Europe's strategic maritime industrial capacity.
Cruise ships represent 80% of the value of the order book of European shipyards, so our industry is fundamental to maintaining the technical expertise of these countries in complex shipbuilding.
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