Page 33: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (February 2016)

Koningsdam of Holland American Lines undergoes Sea Trial sengers and crew visits.

But the potential responsible for Italy becoming a leading center for cruise ship construction in Europe is its being the largest cruise embarkation and destina- tion market. Last year it bene? tted to the extent of €4.6 billion in direct cruise in- dustry expenditures, an increase of 0.7% over 2013. The fact is that the cruise industry enjoyed dynamic growth over a period of 30 years, driven initially by demand from North America and more recently by growing demand from Eu- rope and the rest of the world.

Italian ports, led by Venice, Civitavec- (Photo Courtesy Fincantieri) chia, Savona and Genoa, were European market leaders with 1.95 million passen- ger embarkations in 2014. Led by Civi- in 2007, new orders fell in each of the ing 2014 the contracts placed in Japan having posted expenditures for new- tavecchia, Naples, and Livorno, Italian next three years. As a consequence, the and potentially in China represent a buildings in 2014 at €1,201 million and ports also hosted 6.17 million passenger growth in shipbuilding expenditures de- threat to Europe’s continued pre-emi- for refurbishment at €127 million. There visits in 2014 making Italy the largest clined in 2008 and actual expenditures nence in cruise shipbuilding. According is no doubt that Italy will continue to re- cruise destination in Europe. fell during the 2009–11 period. Despite to government sources the Italian cruise tain its leadership position which it has

Since the cruise ship order book peaked the increase in the total order book dur- industry will continue its move ahead maintained over the past 40 years.

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