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International Council Of Cruise Lines News

28 Aug 2003

Cruise Lines Contribution to Economy Boosts

The North American cruise industry generated $20.4 billion in economic activity within the United States in 2002 – nearly a ten percent increase from 2001 – according to an annual study by Business Research and Economic Advisors (BREA). Commissioned by the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL), the study details cruise lines’ economic contributions and examines the extensive links that cruise lines have with major U.S industries. The report cites the cruise industry’s record high for global passenger carryings in 2002 as a major factor in its increased economic activity.

21 Oct 2003

Dow Named VP of Public Affairs for Carnival

Corporation & plc. America. departments to coordinate policies and positions on various industry issues. Arison and Vice Chairman and COO Howard Frank. its need for a liaison with federal, state and local governments. said. past seven years. Tours' hotel division for two years. service and various other interests. Foundation and sits on several committees for the ICCL and NWCA. organization's North Star award in 1990. was chairman and a board member of the Alaska Native Tourism Council. Dow holds a B.A. Northern Colorado.

08 Jun 2004

When the Clock Strikes Midnight

Coast Guard Atlantic Area includes five Coast Guard Districts spanning 14 million square miles and involves 30,000 personnel. Captain John E. Schrinner discusses his philosophy on making it run smoothly. When the clock strikes midnight June 30, 2004, the world will watch with wonder to see if shipping as we know it will come to a screeching halt off the U.S. coast, as the deadline for companies to comply to the letter of the new maritime security laws enters force. With speculation running rampant and a flurry of last-minute paperwork, retiring Chief of the Marine Safety Division, Coast Guard Atlantic Area, Captain John E. Schrinner, offers this perspective. "I remember as a trainee in 1973 the mantra was (for the USCG) to facilitate commerce," Schrinner said.

21 Jun 2004

IMO Waves the Flag about Shipping

It is time to promote the image of shipping, IMO Secretary-General Mr. Efthimios Mitropoulos said on Monday (21 June), as he received on behalf of IMO the gift of a replica model of the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship from the International Council of Cruise Lines and their members Cunard and Carnival Cruise Lines. Referring to the Queen Mary 2 as a "a symbol for all that is excellent in shipping today", Mr. Mr. "I, therefore, believe that the time has come for us to work together, more systematically than ever before, to make politicians and the public aware of the credit shipping rightly deserves," Mr. Mitropoulos said. The model ship was presented by Ms. Pam Conover, President and CEO of Cunard Line Ltd. Also speaking at the ceremony were Mr.

13 Jul 2004

More Passengers take to the Sea

Fueled in part by a spate of luxurious newbuildings such as the Queen Mary 2, the cruise industry, according to government statistics, is growing by leaps and bounds. Reflecting a rise in the popularity of passengers departing from ports closer to their homes, cruise lines carried 2.3 million passengers on North American cruises in the first quarter of 2004, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) reported today. The figures reflect a 13.6 percent increase compared to the same period in 2003. The majority of cruises are still destined for the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

13 Jul 2004

Cruise Passenger Travel Grows 13.6%

Reflecting a rise in the popularity of passengers departing from ports closer to their homes, cruise lines carried 2.3 million passengers on North American cruises in the first quarter of 2004, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) reported today. The figures reflect a 13.6 percent increase compared to the same period in 2003. The majority of cruises are still destined for the Caribbean and the Bahamas. However, there has been important growth in new and emerging "drive market" ports -- departure ports closer to home. For example, last year, during the first quarter, four ports -- New York, Jacksonville, Houston, and Norfolk – offered no departures. Now, these cities are currently among the top 15 departure ports in the nation.

11 Jan 2002

SISCO Impresses U.S. Senators

A U.S. Senate sub-committee offered positive feedback regarding a high-speed access control and accountability system developed by Security Identification Systems Corporation (SISCO). security. The Senator's remark was a reference to SISCO's A-PASS (Automated Personnel Assisted Security Screening), which is the latest, most sophisticated electronic access control system ever designed exclusively for the cruise industry. line passengers, guests and employees as they enter and exit a ship. "The A-PASS system promotes speed of passenger loading while giving the passengers a heightened sense of safety and security," said Zagami. The Senate Committee also heard expert testimony from the Interim Director of Port Everglades…

07 Jan 2002

15 New Cruise Ships Due in 2002

With more ships slated to enter service in 2002 than in any other single year in the history of the cruise industry, the new year is shaping up to be a significant period for the North American cruise lines. Fifteen ships -- accommodating 49 to 2,600 guests -- will spawn intriguing new itineraries both close to home and around the world, an expanding roster of options and unprecedented value, says Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL). The fleet is expected to serve an ever-expanding roster of ports, as destination was cited by more than 85 percent of all respondents as the most important factor in the decision to take a particular cruise.

27 Feb 2002

Zoellick and Bonner To Speak at AAPA Conference

U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert B. Zoellick and U.S.Customs Commissioner Robert C. Spring Conference meeting on Tuesday, March 19, at the Washington Court Hotel in Washington, D.C. Ambassador Zoellick will receive AAPA's Port Person of the Year Award and will provide the keynote address at 8:30 a.m. on March 19. Commissioner Bonner will be the featured speaker during the Annual "Washington People's Luncheon" from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. He is expected to address seaport security issues during his remarks. AAPA's Port Person of the Year Award is presented annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to the port industry. opening markets abroad and maintaining an open-market policy within the U.S. maritime transportation.

30 Mar 2000

ICCL Relocates Its Headquarters

The International Council of Cruise Lines will relocate adjoining the offices of Alcade & Fay, the government affairs firm that has represented the cruise industry for 22 years, effective April 3. As stated per the organization's board chairman, Micky Arison, who is chairman and CEO of Carnival Corp.; Ted Thompson will serve as ICCL's executive vice president and Michael Crye was elected senior vice president, while John Bastek will continue as acting president of ICCL.

17 Aug 2000

Tackling The Issues: ICCL Stands Its Ground

With its shining reputation besmirched in recent years with a list of transgressions, from illegal dumping to sexual assault, the cruise industry has been under the legislative microscope. The International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) works to ensure that its member lines are kept abreast on current issues dealing with topics related to the environment, safety and legislation, to name a few. In order to examine these issues to the core, MR/EN tapped the expertise of Ted Thompson, a retired U.S. Coast Guard captain, who now serves as ICCL's executive director. The cruise industry because of its high profile is constantly under fire regarding various issues…

07 Feb 2001

ICCL Member Lines Set New Mandatory Safety Standards

The International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) has reported that its member lines have unanimously agreed to set mandatory policies for cruise ship passenger and crew safety, security, environment, operational procedures, health safety and sanitation. These new policies mark the first time and association of international maritime operators has adopted mandatory standards on such a vast set of topics. The new mandatory industry standards will require each ICCL member vessel to have smoke alarms that sound in all passenger and crew staterooms and adjacent corridors as well as on the bridge. For most of the existing guidelines, each member line will integrate these industry standards into its Safety Management System (SMS)…

07 Jun 2002

Rear Admiral Paul Pluta Redefines Maritime Security

Rear Admiral (RADM) Paul Pluta, the man in charge of ensuring the security of the 361 ports and 95,000 miles of coastline in the U.S., had to quickly shift gears in the hours following September 11. Hired initially to beef up environmental protection and passenger vessel safety, Pluta realized after that day, that his role as Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection, U.S. Coast Guard, had changed dramatically in the hours following. September 11 began like any other for RADM Pluta. Working out of his office in Washington, D.C. where he was appointed to earlier that year by Coast Guard Admiral James Loy…

10 Jan 2005

DHS Names Maritime Security Advisory Committee Members

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security today announced the appointment of the following individuals to serve on the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee. "On behalf of Secretary Ridge, I am delighted to welcome these advisors to our team," said Admiral Thomas H. Collins, commandant of the Coast Guard. The advisory committee has been established to provide advice to the Department of Homeland Security via the U.S. Coast Guard on matters such as national maritime security strategy and policy, actions required to meet current and future security threats, international cooperation on security issues, and security concerns of the maritime transportation industry as mandated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. Joseph H. Thomas E. John C.

08 Mar 2005

Environmental Balance

by John W. As a designer of ships, and president of a vessel design company, I know the shipbuilding industry is made up of people who recognize the importance of ferries, cruise ships and other maritime vessels to our economy. These same people also care a great deal about the marine environment in which our ships operate. That's why reports by environmental groups criticizing the marine industry for supposed ecological offenses leave a bad taste in the mouths of those who know the whole story. For example, a recent report on cruise ships by the Oceans Conservancy (Hertz and Davis, Cruise Control, May 2004) states, "Some of the pollutants generated by these giant ships daily include as much as 37…

08 Mar 2005

Editor's Note

As we go to press with our annual cruise shipping focus in conjunction with the Miami cruise shipping show, the industry’s eyes are not necessarily on newbuild projections and new technologies, but rather Washington, D.C., as the U.S. Supreme Court on February 28, 2005, heard oral arguments in Spector v. Norwegian Cruise Line (No. 03-1388), a case to determine the applicability of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to foreign-flagged cruise ships. The debate centers on whether the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies at sea, particularly to ships entering the United States, and how to reconcile conflicts with foreign and international laws and safety regulations in the absence of any statutory or regulatory standards. “...

01 Jul 2005

INTERTANKO to Intervene in Ballast Water Decision

A U.S. Federal judge in the Northern California District has granted INTERTANKO's Motion to Intervene on the court's decision that the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) exemption of ballast water discharges from the permit requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) was improper under the Clean Water Act. INTERTANKO filed this motion along with industry coalition partners the American Waterways Operators (AWO), the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA), the Lake Carriers' Association (LCA), the World Shipping Council (WSC) and the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL), referred to as the Shipping Industry Ballast Water Coalition, which is now a party in this case.

07 Sep 2006

Cruise Line Spending Slows

Spending related to cruises run by Carnival Corp., Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and other lines grew at the slowest pace in at least six years as fewer new ships were launched.Cruise ships traveling to and from US ports and their passengers pumped $32.4 billion into the US economy, a 7.9 percent increase, the International Council of Cruise Lines said in a report released last week, according to a report on Bloomberg. Passengers traveling from US ports rose 6.3 percent to 8.6 million, less than half the rate of growth in 2004. Four new cruise ships were introduced last year and four were taken out of service, leaving the North American fleet unchanged at 192 ships, the trade association said. Six new ships are scheduled to launch in 2006, ICCL said.

15 Mar 2006

ICCL and CI Launch Project to Protect Sensitive Marine Areas

should be avoided. chaired by internationally recognized marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle. recognized on navigation charts. current operational practices by ICCL member lines to protect the environment. advanced wastewater purification system). cruise ship. identified by a GIS study commissioned by the science panel. biodiversity," said Dr. director of CI's Global Marine Division. recommendation can be carried out. operations. cruise industry by the seven-member independent science panel. through the U.S. practices. http://www.iccl.org. marine environment. world's oceans," said Michael Crye, ICCL president. science panel's recommendations and determine how to best implement them. wastewater discharges, storm water runoff and marine vessels.

06 Mar 2006

Cruise Industry Releases Crime Statistics

Emerging Threats and International Relations. when more than 31 million people sailed on cruise ships. three-year period. Congress. Northeastern University, visiting fellow with the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics and author of 16 books. extremely low, no matter what benchmark or standard is used," said Fox. said Michael Crye, president of the ICCL. represent people that have gone through personal tragedies. to minimize or brush aside their grievances nor shirk responsibility. federal and state authorities investigate crimes on board cruise ships. allegations of crimes involving U.S. investigated and prosecuted under U.S. cruise ships outside of U.S. waters. that was adopted in 1999. authorities and fully cooperates in any investigation.

29 Dec 2005

Regulators Target Cruise Ship Wastewater

According to the AP, Maine's Department of Environmental Protection is launching a new permit system that requires discharges by cruise ships to be as clean as wastewater treated on shore. Cruise ships will be prohibited from dumping wastewater within three miles of the shore unless they can meet the same water quality standards as municipal treatment plants. The rules apply to passenger ships that have at least 500 beds. From the point of view of the cruise ship industry, Maine's initiative will have little impact, said Christine Fischer, spokeswoman for the International Council of Cruise Lines. Fischer said council members, who include more than 90 percent of the cruise market in North America, have already agreed not to discharge wastewater within four miles of the nation's coastline.

14 Nov 2005

Despite Attack, Piracy Against Cruises Is Said to Be Rare

The New York Times has reported that the cruise industry is calling the violent attack on a cruise ship off the coast of Somalia on Nov. 5 an aberration. Pirates on two boats reportedly fired rocket-propelled grenades at the Seabourn Spirit, a luxury liner carrying 151 passengers, as it rounded the Horn of Africa last Saturday on its way from Alexandria, Egypt, to Mombasa in Kenya. With the Spirit about 100 miles off the coast, the pirates struck at dawn, injuring one crew member but no passengers, and failing to board. The International Maritime Bureau recommends that ships stay at least 150 miles away from Somalia's coast. Though Somalia is not a typical port of call for cruises…

01 Nov 2005

Shipping Industry Ballast Water Coalition Files Remedy Brief

Intertanko has filed a remedy brief in the North California District Court case of Northwest Environmental Advocates against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of a Shipping Industry Ballast Water Coalition, which consists of INTERTANKO, the American Waterways Operators, Chamber of Shipping of America, International Council of Cruise Lines, Lake Carriers’ Association, and the World Shipping Council. This brief, whose four main arguments are detailed below, sets out the ‘remedy’ that should be imposed as a result of the Court ruling that the EPA’s long-standing exclusion from Clean Water Act (CWA) requirements of operational discharges from ships is not authorised by the CWA and is therefore invalid. Background. In 1973, shortly after the U.S.