 |
| Photo by Freeimages.com/Harman Stinson |
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) recently hosted its 2016 Technical & Regulatory Forum, which saw more than 100 delegates gather in London to discuss a range of key regulatory and technical cruise industry topics, including public health, the environment, technology innovation and safety.
Event participants included CLIA Cruise Line and Executive Partner Members, as well as international regulators, such as Ambassador Arsenio A. Dominguez, Marine Environment Protection Committee Chairman at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Participants engaged and contributed to CLIA’s work with the IMO, the European Union and other regulators around the world.
Several sessions were organised throughout the day. Key takeaways include:
Public health – Although its impact on cruise ships is marginal at best, with less than 20,000 of the 700 million cases that occur every year affecting cruise ships, delegates discussed the industry’s best practices and effective efforts to reduce the chance of norovirus outbreaks.
Environmental protection – Participants discussed compliance to cruise ship international regulations, as well as solutions the industry is implementing to diminish its environmental footprint. The conversation focused on different environmental solutions and upcoming technologies, such as emissions reductions and on-board wastewater treatment.
Safety – Representatives reinforced that safety is, and will remain, a priority. Cruise lines are constantly introducing new measures to improve safety of passengers and crew. Delegates discussed a range of initiatives and solutions to improve the safety of passengers, from swimming pools and man overboard detection to passenger safety at ports of call.
This year’s programme was extended to include a dinner, in association with the Port of Kirkwall (Orkney Islands), at the Swan Restaurant at Shakespeare's Globe, following a cocktail reception for delegates.