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September 15, 2022

The exclusive interview for Cruising Journal with Marie-Caroline Laurent, general manager of CLIA Europe, during the Ports and Destination Dialogue recently held in Malaga.

A truly compelling edition of Seatrade Cruise Med took place in Malaga on the 14th and 15th, with a return to having Exhibitions in attendance and, above all, a series of interesting insights into the state of the cruise industry. Equally important, however, was the assembly organized by CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) in conjunction with Seatrade, which on Nov. 13 and 14, focused on issues and new challenges for the future of cruise shipping.

We asked Marie-Caroline Laurent, Director General of CLIA Europe, to tell us about the highlights discussed on the occasion, to understand what the current and future plans are and how the sector is coping with the restart after the long difficulties of the pandemic.

Marie-Caroline, how are you experiencing this Ports and Destination Dialogue and what are the most frequently recurring words in your meeting?

Certainly “collaboration”: we worked a lot together even during the months of the pandemic, thinking about how to restore operations and above all creating that synergy that is fundamental, especially in times of difficulty. But right now we are seeing the results, experiencing great collaboration and making us ready to face future challenges.

I know that there are at least three central points being discussed at your assembly. What are you going to talk about here in Malaga on these days?

One issue of fundamental importance is the new European regulations on emissions and environmental protection. It is a great challenge that awaits us, both in terms of meeting the deadlines that envisage drastic reductions in emissions and the supply of electrical power by the ports, and regarding public opinion, which expects rapid and determined responses. On a practical level, we are preparing a checklist of issues to be resolved and measures to be completed by all ports.

I have seen the signing of the clean energy agreement signed between some cruise lines and the port of Barcelona. This will certainly be an important first step in this direction. But this is not the only theme addressed in Malaga, is it Marie-Caroline?

Exactly. Another aspect that requires us to work very closely together are the new entry regulations in certain non-Schengen countries, the collection of biometric data and the requirement to fill in special forms for entry into Europe. We should work to ensure that all ports can be aligned to make it as easy as possible for passengers to embark and disembark. Information and uniformity of procedures will be key to dealing with these changes in the best possible way.

Marie-Caroline, the motto of this CLIA meeting is “Sailing towards a better future”. What will really make the future of cruising better?

We’ll talk about clean energy for ships and strong collaboration between ports at a regional level to make procedures easier for cruise passengers. But it’s also fundamental to work at a local level to ensure that the cruise product is understood and accepted by the communities. We are trying to move towards “community engagement” that can bring us the consent of the citizens and we will discuss this here in Malaga. Environmental protection, good logistics for embarking and disembarking and more communication will be the pillars on which we intend to base our mission in this area.

Thank you, Marie-Caroline, it really seems very important and above all very challenging issues that we will be talking about these matters on these days and that will be developed in the coming months. What is the key to solving and tackling such complex problems?

Undoubtedly synergy and dialogue. CLIA unites a large number of ports that find, in our association, a forum for dialogue and confrontation. Collaboration and networking at regional and local level will be the strong points for all future challenges. Ports from different countries that share, for example, the same cruise itinerary, will necessarily have to align their procedures, in order to make cruises more and more compatible with the territory as well as facilitate the passenger experience.

Thank you very much Marie-Caroline. I think it is a very important piece of work that you have done and your words have highlighted the main issues that the industry will face in the short to medium term.

In Malaga we have often heard words of optimism for the recovery of the sector, in particular the growth of the “new generation” sector of passengers from 20 to 35 years old. If we are really trying to be “Sailing towards a better future” it will also be thanks to the collaborative efforts and commitment that CLIA is putting in place for the coming months.

Gabriele Bassi

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