Pierfrancesco Vago new CLIA Europe Chairman

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 11 October 2013 11 October 2013

CLIA Europe Chairman, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, announced that he will complete his term as Chairman of CLIA Europe at the end of the year.

He will be succeeded by CLIA Europe Vice-Chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises. Lefebvre d’Ovidio served as Chairman of CLIA Europe for three and a half years, which included an extension at the request of CLIA Europe members. He will remain a member of CLIA’s Global Executive Committee.

Christine Duffy, President & CEO of CLIA said: “I wish to acknowledge Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio for his exceptional leadership in Europe, and extend to him my gratitude on behalf of all CLIA members, particularly for agreeing to serve for an extended period. His close working relationships with regulators and fellow industry colleagues, in particular with his successor, CLIA Europe Vice-Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago, will ensure a smooth and seamless transition.

Robert Ashdown, CLIA Europe Secretary General, also paid tribute to Mr. Lefebvre’s efforts: “Chairman Lefebvre d’Ovidio helped the cruise industry navigate many critical areas during a challenging time. He helped to create the conditions for the industry’s continued record growth in Europe, and he was instrumental in the efforts to establish a global structure for CLIA that unified the industry under one voice throughout Europe and the world. This included the smooth and rapid transformation of the various European cruise industry associations into CLIA Europe, which continues its strong history of effectiveness in representing the interests of the cruise industry.”

Duffy remarked that CLIA Europe is positioned for continued success under Pierfranceso Vago: “I am delighted that CLIA Europe Vice Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago, a member of CLIA’s Global Executive Committee, will succeed Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio starting on 1st January next year.  In his role as Chairman of MSC Cruises Pierfrancesco Vago has already made a tremendous contribution to the growth of the cruise industry in Europe.  

Robert Ashdown continued: "‘As Vice-Chairman of CLIA Europe Pierfrancesco Vago has played a key role in the successful transformation of the association and has earned the respect of fellow industry colleagues and regulators alike. I look forward to working with him as the industry continues its strong growth in Europe.”

Manfredi Lefebvre thanked Christine Duffy for her leadership and welcomed his successor Pierfrancesco Vago. He also thanked fellow industry colleagues for their support, the teams in each of the CLIA Associations across Europe and outlined his confidence in the future of the industry.

“The cruise industry continues to make a strong economic contribution to the European economy and has shown robust growth in the past decade, even in the face of economic downturns. I’m confident this success will continue and I am also confident CLIA Europe will continue to thrive under the leadership of my successor, Pierfrancesco Vago,” Lefebvre d’Ovidio said.

Chairman elect, Pierfrancesco Vago, commended Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio on his record: “It is an honour for me to take on the role as Chairman of CLIA Europe.  Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio has been an extraordinary Chairman and will be a hard act to follow,” Mr. Vago said. He has left a strong and positive legacy which I aim to build on.  In particular he has built strong relationships with governments and regulators, most notably the European Commission and European Parliament, contributing significantly to the development of the positive and credible reputation the industry enjoys today.

“Under his leadership we have built an industry that we should all be proud of. Together we employ over 325,000 Europeans, we serve more than 6 million Europeans on our cruise ships, and we generate almost €38 billion in output for Europe’s economy.”

AIDAprima named as AIDA's new flagship that "highlights new era in cruising"

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 08 October 2013 08 October 2013

In a lavish presentation in Hamburg this morning (8 October 2013), AIDA Cruises revealed the name of the first of its two new vessels under construction in Japan - AIDAprima, Alan Lam reports from Hamburg. Cruise Business was the only non-German publication present at the event, he says.

Upon delivery in 2015, the ship will be the first ever cruise liner to homeport Hamburg. Starting 20 June of the same year, AIDAprima will depart on her first of the 52 seven-day round-trip voyages, calling at Southampton, Le Havre, Zeebrugge, and Rotterdam, with Hamburg as both the departure and arrival city.

The maiden voyage from Yokohama to Hamburg will take 86 days, calling at 39 ports in 22 countries on three continents. The company hailed the new ship as the beginning of "the new AIDA generation" and introduced a new motto to compliment this step: "2015: Rediscover Cruising!"

"AIDAprima will usher in a new age of cruising," said Michael Ungerer, the President of AIDA Cruises."We are constantly thinking beyond the horizon. Our new flagship will offer more rooms, more variety and more individuality than ever before."

The line has also confirmed that each of the two new ships under construction will be 124,500 gross tons, 300 metres long and 37.6 metres wide, with a passenger capacity of 3,300. They will be delivered in March 2015 and March 2016, respectively.

The new ship, according to the company, will set new standards in terms of environmental protection. It will be fitted with a comprehensive filter system to reduce exhaust. The line claims that, with this exhaust treatment technology, it is able to reduce emissions of soot particles, nitrogen oxide, and sulphur oxide by up to 99 percent.

AIDAprima will have a revolutionary new hull design to considerably increase energy efficiency. Its Mitsubishi Air Lubrication System (MALS) will be the industry first. This technology allows the ship to "glide on a carpet of air", thus further reducing fuel consumption. Other features like the latest pod drive technology will also help promoting fuel economy. The ship will be fitted with duel fuel engines that can "be powered almost emissions-free with liquefied gas regardless of availability in the port".

AIDA Cruises also presented a whole host of dining, bar and entertainment options on board, making the ship a destination itself. Being the first year-round ship based in Hamburg, perhaps the most eye-catching of all is its weather-independent concept of "vacation with guaranteed sunshine" that encompasses "Four Elements and AIDA Beach Club".

The elements of air, water, earth and fire inspired the design of the activity deck that includes two AIDA Racer water slides and climbing walls. The deck will have an expandable membrane roof to shut out the inclement weather.

AIDA Beach Club is a palm-lined poolside wonderland under a UV-permeable membrane dome. At night the dome serves as a projection surface for a virtual starry sky or for laser shows.

Among other fresh features, the company also, for the first time, introduces the so-called AIDA Mini Club that provides childcare in addition to the existing Kids and Teen Club.

AIDAprima will have 1,643 staterooms with 14 different variations and 32 suites with up to 53 sqm of living space.

The line has today also launched its 2015 catalogue for the new ship.