CLIA Strengthens Leadership Team with Two Key Appointments in Brussels

14^th of July 2025

CLIA Strengthens Leadership Team with Two Key Appointments in Brussels:

Niels Wammen-Jensen to join CLIA as Executive Vice President, International Regions;
Nikos Mertzanidis promoted to Executive Director for CLIA in Europe.

Washington, D.C. and Brussels – 14 July 2025 – Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading voice of the global cruise industry, today announced two senior leadership appointments. Niels Wammen-Jensen has been appointed Executive Vice President, International Regions, a newly created role based in Brussels; and Nikos Mertzanidis has been promoted to Executive Director for CLIA in Europe, also based in Brussels.

• Niels Wammen-Jensen, who currently serves as Group Vice President, Government Affairs for Europe at MSC Group and leads engagement with European Union institutions on shipping and transport policy, will officially join CLIA on 21 August 2025. He will be based in Brussels and report directly to CLIA President and CEO Charles (Bud) Darr. Wammen-Jensen brings deep expertise in maritime policy, international regulation, and European public affairs to his new role at CLIA, where he will oversee cross-functional coordination across all regions outside North America - working with CLIA’s senior-most executive leader in each of those markets, which includes:
  • Nikos Mertzanidis, CLIA, Europe;
  • Andy Harmer, CLIA, UK & Ireland;
  • Joel Katz, CLIA, Australasia;
  • Marco Ferraz, CLIA, South America (Brazil).

Wammen-Jensen will also collaborate with leaders for CLIA’s core functional areas - central to how the association delivers value to its members - working in partnership with Mike McGarry, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Executive Director for North America; Donnie Brown, Senior Vice President of Maritime Policy; and Anne Madison, Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications.

• Nikos Mertzanidis was promoted to Executive Director for Europe effective 1 July 2025, following several months in an acting capacity. He joined CLIA in 2016 and most recently served as Vice President, Ports & Destinations and Taxation in Europe. His promotion to Executive Director recognizes his exceptional leadership, policy expertise, and proven ability to represent the cruise industry effectively before European institutions.

“Together, the expertise and experience that Niels and our functional and regional leaders provide in support of our cruise line members reflect the scope and sophistication of our industry and our investment in leadership that is globally connected and locally empowered,”said Bud Darr, president and CEO of CLIA. “Their collaboration is essential to advancing CLIA’s global mission and ensuring consistent, high-impact engagement across markets as our members continue to advance a strong sustainability agenda and demonstrate their longstanding track record and ongoing commitment to responsible cruise operations”.

For more information, please read the press release.