RINA backs Cruise Ship Safety Forum

RINA joined forces with leading cruise lines and shipyards as a founding member of the Cruise Ship Safety Forum. The Cruise Ship Safety Forum (CSSF) is a consortium of cruise ship operators, ship yards, classification societies, and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) who have come together to advance cruise ship safety in a co-ordinated and focused manner. RINA is a member of the steering committee. Antonio Pingiori, head of the marine division of RINA says, “We are delighted to give our full support to this initiative which will improve safety for cruise ships. We have committed Claudio Abbate, who is responsible for our activities in North and Central America, to the CSSF and he will be given the resources to play a key role. Claudio is vice-chairman of the IMO subcommittee on fire protection and has been heavily involved in the development of IMO’s new safe return to port rules as he chaired the correspondent working group at the Maritime Safety Committee. He will bring invaluable expertise to the forum. We at RINA have always believed strongly in working as partners with industry, and this group unites the major class societies involved in passenger shipping with the major operators and shipyards, so it will be a powerful force for instigating and spreading good ideas and good practice.” Claudio Abbate has recently been appointed to head up RINA’s US operations. Based in RINA’s Fort Lauderdale office he heads a team which supports RINA’s clients in the US or using US ports, many of whom are leading cruise lines. He was previously head of Safety System Sector for RINA, and is currently vice-chairman of the IMO subcommittee on fire protection. RINA currently classes over 300 cruise ships and passenger ferries, totalling over 5.5m gt, and it is classing 40 newbuilding cruise and passenger ships on behalf of 15 owners, including the prestigious 14 ships building for Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Crociere, Cunard, Hal Antillen, Princess Cruises, P&O and Seabourn at Fincantieri. RINA also provides training for Carnival Corporation newbuilding superintendents.