CLIA Commemorates World Maritime Day

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) today commemorated the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) World Maritime Day, honoring the work of the diverse maritime community and industry stakeholders that strive to preserve and continuously improve maritime safety – the cruise industry's number one priority, said CLIA President and CEO Christine Duffy.

The IMO, a United Nations agency, regulates safety, security, and environmental issues for the entire shipping industry, including cruise ships. This year's World Maritime Day theme focuses on the evolution of maritime safety since the first International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.

"The safety of our passengers and crew is the cruise industry's number one priority and ongoing innovation in safety has been a hallmark of our industry for decades," Duffy said. "We applaud the IMO on its constant vigilance and commitment to mandating standards that keep the entire maritime industry safe. We look forward to continuing our work with the IMO and other key global stakeholders to ensure we are going above and beyond their requirements to keep our oceans, crew, and passengers safe each day."

In honor of World Maritime Day, the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation, funded by CLIA's member cruise lines, has also donated $5,000 to the educational, non-profit Mariners' Museum, one of the largest maritime museums in the world. Founded in 1930, its 90,000 square feet collection focuses on maritime history, including shipbuilding, navigation, cartography, and features maritime artifacts, paintings, and other objects, including one of the world's premier boat collections, the "International Small Craft Center."

About CLIA

The nonprofit Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the largest global cruise industry organization. CLIA represents the interests of 26 member lines, 15,000 travel agents, and 120 executive partners before regulatory and legislative policy makers, supporting measures that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise vacations with thousands of travel agency and travel agent members across North America. For more information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit www.cruising.org. CLIA can also be followed on the Cruise Lines International Association's Facebook and Twitter fan pages, and CEO Christine Duffy can be followed @CLIACEO and cruising.org/ceoblog.

SOURCE Cruise Lines International Association