The International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) shows its support for global shipping in acknowledgment of World Maritime Day. The 2005 theme of this annual event is International Shipping - Carrier of World Trade.

According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the theme was chosen to draw attention to the vital role that shipping plays in underpinning the international economy and its significant contribution to international trade and the world economy as the most efficient, safe and environmentally friendly method of transporting goods around the globe. The shipping industry carries 90 percent of world trade.

The cruise industry handles some of the most important cargo in the world - people, said J. Michael Crye, ICCL president. The cruise industry, along with the rest of shipping, shares its positive contribution to the global economy while adhering to international safety, security and environmental regulations.

In an annual study released this month by the ICCL, the contribution of the cruise industry shows continuous growth of its economic impact. In 2004, cruise lines carried 10.85 million passengers worldwide supporting economies through spending at homeports and ports-of-call throughout the world. In the United States alone, the cruise industry had a total impact of over $30 billion of which $14.7 billion is attributed to direct purchases by cruise lines, passengers and crew. These direct purchases arose from spending for goods and services, port services, shoreside staffing for cruise lines and tour operators and maintenance and repair. This spending supported 315,000 U.S. jobs.