CLIA Navigates Greek Maritime Students Through World of Cruising

CLIA representatives and Greek university students in front of the MSC Splendida in Piraeus Port. Photo source: CLIA

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) recently organized an educational cruise ship visit for postgraduate students from the Maritime Studies Department of the University of Piraeus. The students had the opportunity to board  MSC Splendida at the Piraeus port, and learn about career opportunities in the cruise business and the industry’s actions on sustainability.

The event was hosted by CLIA National Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Maria Deligianni, and MSC Cruises Vice President Sustainability & ESG Linden Coppell, who presented virtually. Furthermore, the President of the Piraeus Port Authority, Yu Zenggang accompanied the students at the visit.

During the visit, students were given a guided tour of MSC Splendida and had the chance to experience what cruising is all about. They also learned about the cruise industry’s economic impact on Greece and the Mediterranean region, as well as its sustainability efforts.

President of the Piraeus Port Authority, Yu Zenggang. Photo source: CLIA.

In a video message, Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Christos Stylianides welcomed the students onboard MSC Splendida and emphasized the importance of the cruise industry to the Greek economy.

“All experts agree that the positive course of the industry in our country will continue and we hope that we will have a further increase in cruise ship calls, which from next year may even exceed 10 percent, ” he added.

Echoing Stylianidis, Yu Zenggang underlined the significance of Piraeus as the largest passenger port in Europe and a vital Mediterranean cruise destination.

He noted that the economic benefits brought by the cruise industry, particularly the growth in homeporting despite pandemic challenges. This was also verified through a research study conducted by the Dept. of Maritime studies of the University of Piraeus which found that cruise tourists contribute significantly to the local economy, not only in Athens but also in Piraeus.

Deligianni: As a cruise industry we are sailing to a better future

CLIA’s National Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Maria Deligianni. Photo source: CLIA.

CLIA’s national director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Maria Deligianni, gave a presentation and provided an overview of trends and key figures for the cruise industry globally and in Greece.

“This initiative is part of CLIA’s priority to engage with students and young people who are interested in the dynamic cruise industry and raise awareness about its significant and growing impact on the
economy and employment at global, European, and local level”, Deligianni said, referring to the event aboard the MSC Splendida.

“As a cruise industry we are sailing to a better future, and these young students are our future. We are delighted to be able to host these students onboard and give them the chance to ‘taste’ and ‘feel’ what cruising is about,” she said.

Deligianni also presented CLIA’s latest sustainability report issued this month.

On her part, MSC Cruises’ VP for sustainability & ESG, Linden Coppell, presented the environmental technologies onboard MSC Splendida and the MSC Cruises sustainability strategy, as well as facts about cruise industry careers.

“Our sustainability programme is organised around four key pillars: Planet, People, Place and Procurement, ensuring that our attention is focused on the issues that matter the most. At MSC Cruises, we firmly believe that our people are the cornerstone of our success and employ talented team members worldwide,” she said.

Photo source: CLIA.

CLIA is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, representing the interests of cruise lines and their partners. The organization works to foster a secure, healthy, and sustainable cruise ship environment and promote positive travel experiences for millions of passengers who cruise annually. This year, CLIA forecasts that annual passenger numbers will reach 31.5 million, surpassing 2019 levels.