CARNIVAL chief Sture Myrmell has called for a united voice as the industry attempts to tackle capacity constraints in Australia’s cruise sector – and dismissed reports that Sydney’s Garden Island might be back on the table as a future berthing option.
At the World’s Leading Cruise Lines (WLCL) New Wave Summit aboard Majestic Princess today, the President of Carnival Australia & New Zealand and P&O Cruises Australia said renewed speculation that a new berth could be negotiated in Sydney Harbour was untrue.
“The new Prime Minister is not interested (in Garden Island) and Scott Morrison has made that clear,” Myrmell said.
“We don’t think we should rely on any particular options – we are not wedded to any one solution,” he said.
Instead, Myrmell said the WLCL and the wider industry were continuing to engage with the NSW Government on developing its Port Botany plan.
“We are now at a point where growth will be limited if we don’t find a solution,” he said.
“We all have a role to play in advocacy – this has to be a shared responsibility.
“One voice is much stronger if we all come together with a shared message.”
In his keynote address at the summit, Myrmell highlighted several issues facing the wider cruise industry, including the its need to confront environmental concerns.
He said the industry was on track to achieve new International Maritime Organisation standards on emissions due to be implemented by 2020.
The measures will be achieved through new LNG ships, the use of low sulphur fuel and introduction of advanced exhaust cleaning systems.
“Carnival Corporation has already implemented these on 70% of its ships,” Myrmell said.
“The cruise industry is well advanced in meeting or exceeding the new emissions standards,” he said.
Source: traveldaily