Brussels, 10th December 2024 – the cruise industry is a ‘made in Europe’ supply chain which generated 55.3 billion euros and 400,000 jobs in Europe in 2023. This is what emerges from newly released data by Cruise Lines International Association. Furthermore, in the next 12 years, with an investment of 57 billion euros, 72 of the 76 ocean cruise ships will be built in European shipyards (97%) of which 40 in Italy (52.6%), 12 in Germany (15.8%) and 10 in France (13.2%).
Cruise ships represent 80% of the value of commercial ship orders for European shipyards and involves European companies across the entire value chain, from suppliers of steel hull plats to hi-tech onboard equipment, to interior design.
“Europe is world leading in complex and innovative shipbuilding, and our sector is a key part of this European maritime transport industrial cluster,” says Samuel Maubanc, Director General, Europe, CLIA. “As almost all the world’s cruise ships are built in European shipyards, the cruise sector is central to Europe’s ability to maintain this industrial excellence, competitiveness, and resilience. Cruise is also a driver of innovation, investing in the development and use of new technologies and sustainable energy solutions that will apply across the maritime sector in future.”
These are fundamental records for Europe’s maritime security and strategic autonomy. The economic impact of cruise tourism does not end with the launch of a ship but continues for decades, multiplying the construction value of the ship itself in the area. According to CLIA, there are more than 350 ports in Europe, and every time a ship docks in one of them it generates development for the coastal communities and suppliers in the area, also as companies are committed to supporting local products. Cruise passengers are a source of direct spending, which on average almost 700 euros per passenger in port cities during a seven-day cruise.
Furthermore, more than 50% of cruise passengers return to visit the locations in subsequent years, showing the longer-term impact of cruise. To this is added the companies’ spending on supplies, (11.3 billion euros per year), in shipyards (8.2 billion euros per year) and on wages (7.6 billion euros per year).
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Note to the editor: Follow the link to have access to the full Made in Europe report and see how the industry is critical to Europe’s maritime strategic autonomy
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Contact: Philomène Bouchon: pbouchon