The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s largest cruise industry association, and Hamburg Messe und Congress (HMC) have reaffirmed their successful collaboration with a new cooperation agreement.
The agreement includes CLIA’s participation in two of the industry’s leading international events: Seatrade Europe Cruise & River Cruise Convention 2025 and SMM 2026, the world’s leading trade fair for the maritime industry. The new agreement underlines Hamburg’s role as an international center of the shipping and cruise industry – and marks a joint commitment to the further development of the industry.
“Hub of the maritime and cruise industry”
“We are very much looking forward to continuing our partnership with CLIA. Cruise lines belong to the technological avant-garde of the shipping industry – for example in the areas of emissions, recycling and wastewater treatment. Participants at our trade fairs also benefit from this. The cooperation also underlines Hamburg’s role as a hub for the maritime and cruise industries,” says Claus Ulrich Selbach, Vice President Exhibitions at Hamburg Messe und Congress for the world’s leading trade fairs SMM and WindEnergy Hamburg as well as INMEX SMM India, Seatrade Europe, Hydrogen Technology Expo and Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe.
“Europe plays a crucial role in the growth and development of the global cruise industry,” emphasizes CLIA President and CEO Charles Bud Darr. “On behalf of our members, CLIA’s valued partnership with Hamburg Messe und Congress provides a strong foundation to advance shared priorities such as decarbonization, innovation and international collaboration to support the future of sustainable cruising.”
Darr assumed the position of President and CEO of CLIA on February 3, 2025. He knows the maritime industry, has an international network and has already been a speaker at SMM and the gmec – global maritime environmental congress – on several occasions. The industry is looking forward to Seatrade Europe 2025 and SMM 2026 – two events that will provide decisive impetus for the future of the maritime industry.
