Cruise Industry Regulation
The cruise industry operates under a comprehensive framework of international, national, and local regulations designed to ensure the safety, security, and environmental compliance.
International Maritime Organization (IMO)
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialized United Nations (UN) agency responsible for setting global maritime safety, environmental, and security standards. It establishes international regulations to ensure that shipping, including the cruise industry, operates in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner.
About
The cruise industry is subject to regulations developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and enforced through flag state inspections and port state verifications (e.g., U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Protection, Federal Maritime Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency for the USA among others).
This multi-layered system, designed to protect passengers, crew, the environment and destinations cruise lines visit, includes the International Maritime Organization and International Labour Organization, Port States, Countries of Registration (Flag States) and Classification Societies—with each having a key role.
Regulations, Oversight and Inspection
The cruise industry is subject to regulations developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and enforced through flag state inspections and port state verifications (e.g., U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Protection, Federal Maritime Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency for the USA among others).
This multi-layered system, designed to protect passengers, crew, the environment and destinations cruise lines visit, includes the International Maritime Organization and International Labour Organization, Port States, Countries of Registration (Flag States) and Classification Societies—with each having a key role.
Apply safety and environmental rules and guidelines and provide oversight for ship design, construction, and operation through surveys, audits, and inspections.
Any country whose ports or waters are visited by a cruise ship has full authority to make sure that it follows international, national, and local regulations. Specifically, Port States inspect and enforce compliance with applicable international and domestic laws and regulations.
- Review ship designs and issue safety certification before the ship sails.
- Conduct announced and unannounced inspections and enforce compliance with international and domestic laws and regulations
- Detain ships if serious violations are found
* Paris Memorandum of Understanding / MOU on Port State Control (28 maritime administrations participating), Tokyo MOU (21 administrations participating), U.S. Coast Guard, plus other regional MOUs including: Vina Del Mar (Central & South America), Mediterranean, and Indian
The country or Flag State where a cruise ship is registered must make certain that registered ships meet all international requirements. Flag States also inspect ships on a regular basis to ensure compliance with both international and national requirements.
These independent agencies:
- Conduct inspections on behalf of Flag States, cruise ship owners, insurers and other members of the maritime community to ensure that ships are in compliance with applicable standards and managed responsibly.
- Set safety and environmental rules and guidelines and provide oversight for ship design construction and operation.
Cruise lines are also governed by the International Health Regulation of the WHO, which require that Health Declarations detailing illnesses of individuals on board be provided to port authorities around the globe prior to a ship’s entry.
Every cruise ship receives multiple inspections each year – announced and unannounced – to support implementation of strict environmental and safety regulations.
CLIA Compendium of Maritime Policies
As a requirement of membership, all CLIA cruise line members must adhere to a strict and robust set of policies and practices which undergo constant review and improvement and often exceed what international, national and local laws require. All CLIA cruise line members (which accounts for 95% of global capacity sailing) must comply with these expansive policies as a condition of membership.
