THE world’s shipyards will have delivered nearly 50 new Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) member ships by the end of the decade, representing the youngest, cleanest, and most technologically advanced fleets that have ever sailed, the organisation’s Managing Director Joel Katz said. Opening this year’s Cruise360 conference in Brisbane, Katz...
THE world’s shipyards will have delivered nearly 50 new Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) member ships by the end of the decade, representing the youngest, cleanest, and most technologically advanced fleets that have ever sailed, the organisation’s Managing Director Joel Katz said.
Opening this year’s Cruise360 conference in Brisbane, Katz said these younger, greener ships will help drive the cruise industry toward its sustainability goals, which he promised will be a key theme throughout the day.
The 44 new cruise ships set to be delivered by 2028 will add $62 billion of combined value to the industry, which Katz said is absolute proof of confidence in the sector and its future.
With the northern summer season now in full swing, Katz reaffirmed this year will be the first in which passenger volumes surpass pre-COVID levels.
“This year we are expecting as an industry to carry around nearly 31.5 million guests globally, a new all-time record,” Katz said.
“I want to thank every one of you here today for the role that you’ve played in bringing cruising back so strongly…in line with this, cruise line capacity is on a similar upward trajectory.”
Consumer positivity across the world continues to improve, Katz added, particularly in Australia.
“We’re also seeing continuing positive consumer sentiment around the world, and CLIA’s most recent international research shows that the intention to cruise across key markets is once again at its highest level.
“Here in Australia and New Zealand we have just as much to be optimistic about the future,” he enthused. MS
