Other associations part of the new global body include:  Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA); European Cruise Council (ECC);  Asia Cruise Association (ACA); the UK’s Passenger Shipping Association  (PSA/ACE); France’s AFCC; Brazil’s ABREMAR; Northwest and Canada Cruise  Association (NWCCA); and Alaska Association (ACA).

The body will become a one-stop global resource for  cruise lines on technical and regulatory issues and will offer agents stronger  partnership programs and expanded networking opportunities.

Governed by a Global Executive Committee chaired by  Carnival Corporation & plc vice chairman, COO and Executive Committee  member Howard Frank, the body is expected to provide longer term benefits for  the cruise industry.

“We are now truly one industry with one voice,” Mr Frank  said.

“Given the tremendous growth and continuing globalisation  of the cruise industry, this evolution addresses the need to speak and act  globally with a unified voice while recognising the importance of local  relationships.”

CLIA president and CEO Christine Duffy will serve as  president and CEO of the association while ICCA general manager Brett Jardine  will continue to report to both Ms Duffy and the Australasian board headed by  Chairman Gavin Smith.

“It enables us to better leverage our members’ and  partners’ investment in association membership while strengthening the  industry’s leadership globally on issues such as safety, security, the  environment, sustainability and health,” Ms Duffy said.

Local matters will continue to be managed by the regional  national associations in North America, Europe and Australasia while the global  organisation will represent the cruise industry at the International Maritime  Organisation in London, the International Labour Organisation in Geneva and  international maritime and shipping organisations worldwide.

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Words: Natalie Aroyan