PSA and ACE disappear as global cruise association is formed

The Passenger Shipping Association and the Association of Cruise Experts will cease to exist from next year as the two groups become part of a larger global cruise association.

Both names are being dropped as the groups join forces with seven similar organizations worldwide to become the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

The PSA and ACE will form CLIA UK and will retain their existing offices in London.

But it is not yet known what will happen to PSA director Bill Gibbons, who has been with the group for 19 years, Simon Johnson, who is six months into his two-year term as PSA chairman, or the rest of the eight-strong UK team.

"Global staff appointments together with branding and other offices will be the subject of further announcements," said a PSA spokeswoman. "2013 will be the year of transition."

It has already been confirmed that CLIA will be governed by a Global Executive Committee, chaired by Howard Frank, vice chairman, COO and member of the Executive Committee of Carnival Corporation & plc.

Christine Duffy, president and CEO of CLIA, will serve as the president and CEO of the new association.

"We are now truly one industry with one voice," said Frank.

"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.

"The new association will play a vital role in proactively shaping the policy and regulatory environments on a global level and promoting cruising with various constituencies through more effective coordination, communication and stakeholder engagement."

Gibbons added: "We have seen tremendous growth and success in the cruise industry since the PSA was formed in 1958 with the objective of promoting passenger travel by sea. Cruising now touches every continent and having one unified global organisation will be the natural next step in our development to ensure the industry is represented in a cohesive manner, as it continues to grow both in the UK and worldwide.

"We shall further develop our award winning travel agent training programme under CLIA UK and continue with our cruise consumer promotional activities."

Ferry companies who are members of the PSA will not be part of the new group, but will instead work more closely with the UK Chamber of Shipping.

"The majority of our ferry companies are already members of the UK Chamber of Shipping and those few who aren’t, are now in discussion with them," said a PSA spokesman.

The PSA was founded 54 years ago and represents the industry at Government level and promotes travel by sea and river through consumer campaigns.