Cruise Lines International Association and IG RiverCruise announce Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on innovation and sustainability
c: IG-River
River cruise industry unites to drive innovation and sustainability
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and IG RiverCruise announce a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation and lay out a framework that will help river cruising to achieve its sustainability goals. River cruise operators are pursuing efforts to reduce emissions. Cross-sectoral collaboration will help river cruise operators to address the common challenges that must be overcome to achieve this ambition. These challenges include the need for available sustainable marine fuel, enhanced port infrastructure and new technologies, as well as a regulatory environment that fosters investment allowing energy decisions to be taken in due time.
Andy Harmer, Managing Director, UK & Ireland, CLIA said: “This is a step forward in bringing together the river cruise community and raising our collective voice. 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.”
Arno Reitsma, President of IG RiverCruise and CEO of Scylla AG, says: “The river cruise industry already sought references from Ocean Ships, such as aligning ships design components. So it is only logical that we also share a common path in the area of sustainability.”
According to the MOU, joint areas of cooperation will include:
• Information exchange to ensure the regulatory environment supports sustainable growth of river cruising in Europe.
• Sharing of environmental data and industry research to articulate the benefits of cruising to the blue economy.
• Collaboration on research and development and innovation priorities in Europe to help achieve collective sustainability goals.
The MOU, announced today at CLIA’s Port & Destination Dialogue in Hamburg, will be followed by a joint CLIA and IG RiverCruise meeting to take place on 18 October 2023. The river cruise market has experienced incredible growth. The opening of the Main-Danube Canal has led from initially less than 40 river cruise ships in the 1990’s to over 400 today. The sector is experiencing strong growth with several ships on order in European Shipyards.
About Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
CLIA is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, providing a unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community. On behalf of the industry, together with its members and partners, the organization supports policies and practices that foster a secure, healthy and sustainable cruise ship environment, as well as promote positive travel experiences for the more than 30 million passengers who cruise annually. The CLIA community includes the world’s most prestigious ocean, river and specialty cruise lines; a highly trained and certified travel agent community; and cruise line suppliers and partners, including ports and destinations, ship development, suppliers and business services. The organization’s global headquarters are in Washington, DC, with regional offices located in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. For more information, visit www.cruising.org or europe.cruising.org or follow CLIA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
About IG River Cruise
In order to represent the diverse interests of river cruise shipping companies, an initially loosely organized Community of Interests, IG RiverCruise was founded in 2000 by three Swiss shipping companies. In the meantime, IG RiverCruise has become a registered association with headquarters in Basel and represents 365 ships (90% of the European market). As well as representing the members’ common, fundamental interests and concerns relevant for river cruises towards third parties, IG RiverCruise sees itself at the same time as a contact and representative of the European river cruise sector. Other tasks include promoting and developing the image of the river cruise sector, taking into special account the topics of training, safety and environmental protection, and keeping in contact with organizations, institutions, umbrella associations, and associations closely related to the sector.
Further information: info@igrivercruise.com, www.igrivercruise.co
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