The prestigious evening, attended by more than 350 of the maritime industry’s leading personalities, was held in the presence of the guest of honour, the IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim.
Reading the winner’s citation, Seatrade’s global events director Vanessa Stephens said, ‘One of the largest vacation companies in the world, Carnival Corp and plc sails to all four corners of the world, attracting a customer base of 10 million guests annually that is varied in terms of culture, languages and leisure-preferences.
‘It is comprised of a portfolio of distinct brands operating in North and South America, the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Australia, and carrying passengers on 100 plus ships to the Arctic, Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand, Asia, Caribbean, Alaska, Canada, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Indian Ocean.
‘Among several global initiatives, the company recently formed a joint venture in China that intends to establish the first multi-ship domestic cruise brand in the Chinese market and it launched a new brand Fathom giving travellers an opportunity to work alongside local people in the Dominican Republic and Cuba as part of an effort to achieve sustainable development in these communities.’
Just last week that brand embarked on the first cruise from the US to Havana in more than 50 years.
Andrew Baldwin, head of CARE and Customer Change, Carnival UK, accepted the Seatrade Global Performer Award on behalf of Carnival Corporation and plc.
Carnival UK (Cunard and P&O Cruises) and Disney Cruise Line were both short-listed for the Corporate Social Responsibility Award which was won by Drydocks World Dubai
and in the Clean Shipping category, sponsored by RINA, cruise industry suppliers Becker Marine Systems, Germany (for its LNG Hybrid barge) and Thordon Bearings, Canada (for its COMPAC seawater-lubricated propeller shaft bearing system) were both short-listed and the winner was GAC EnvironHull.
Winner of the Seatrade Personality of the Year Award was Jorge L. Quijano, ceo, Panama Canal Authority.
