A fresh momentum for sustainable, innovative, and locally rooted cruising
Charting the course ahead: new leadership at Cruise Marseille Provence
On June 17, 2025, at the Palais de la Bourse in Marseille, the General Assembly of the Cruise Marseille Provence association elected its new President: Jacques Hardelay. Having already served as Deputy President since October 2023, he succeeds Jean-François Suhas, who led the development of cruise tourism in Marseille with an ambitious and international vision for over a decade. In a spirit of continuity and knowledge transfer, Suhas now takes on the role of Deputy President, forming a seasoned and highly complementary leadership duo with Jacques Hardelay.
Jean-François Suhas, Deputy President of Marseille Provence Croisière, stated: “This leadership transition is part of a vision of continuity and consolidation. Jacques Hardelay and I have an aligned perspective on the sustainable and strategic development of cruising in Marseille. His industrial expertise and commitment to the ecological transition of the sector are major assets. As Deputy President, I will continue to work alongside him to support this new phase, building on the experience gained over the years.”
This election comes at a time of major transformation across the maritime sector, where environmental, economic, and social challenges are driving a new approach to cruise development. The event brought together key regional stakeholders, reflecting the strategic importance of this transition.
Hervé Martel, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille, welcomed the appointment: “The Port of Marseille is undergoing a profound transformation. The election of Jacques Hardelay aligns with this momentum – that of a port ecosystem that is innovating, anticipating, and taking action to promote a cleaner, more responsible, and more beneficial cruise industry for the region.”
Danielle Millon, Vice President of the Bouches-du-Rhône Departmental Council, Vice President of the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, President of Provence Tourisme, and Mayor of Cassis, emphasized: “This new presidency reflects a strong desire to strengthen the ties between the maritime sector and the Provence region. It sends a powerful message about our territory’s ambition to shine through a more sustainable form of tourism – one that respects our natural resources and brings positive benefits to our local communities.”
Reinforcing the core mission of the Association
Upon assuming his new role, Jacques Hardelay was keen to reaffirm the core values of the association he now leads: unity, innovation, and strong local engagement. He emphasized that since its creation, Cruise Marseille Provence has been built on a collective vision – bringing together public and private stakeholders around a shared goal: to position Marseille and the Provence region as a leading cruise destination, by balancing tourism appeal, economic development, and ecological transition. In line with this long-standing commitment, he is steering his mandate toward sustainable cruising and a region deeply involved in its transition. This ambition is encapsulated in the new slogan: “Sustainable cruising, committed communities” (“Une croisière engagée, un territoire impliqué”).
“Succeeding Jean-François Suhas as President of this great association is a true privilege. I am fully aware of the responsibility entrusted to me. Together with all the stakeholders in the region, we will continue the work already underway and open a new chapter – one that is both ambitious and collective – to make Marseille a leading example for sustainable cruising in the Mediterranean, focusing as much on reducing environmental impact as on enhancing the quality of the guest experience at every port of call,” stated the newly appointed President, Jacques Hardelay.
Horizon 2030: an ambitious and collective roadmap
With the Horizon 2030 plan, Cruise Marseille Provence is setting a bold course for the future : redefining cruise tourism as a driver for sustainable, balanced, and locally rooted development. With over 2.4 million maritime passengers and 125,000 river cruise guests in 2024, Marseille reaffirmed its status as a leading cruise destination. To support this growth, Cruise Marseille Provence – 104 member strong – has unveiled an ambitious roadmap for the 2025-2030 timeframe, built on three key pillars.
Commitment: achieving 100% clean calls by 2030.
This ambition is backed by concrete actions, including shore power connectivity, the purchase of electric coaches, the upgrading of river cruise stops, and the “Zero Smoke Call” plan. These initiatives are designed to reduce the environmental impact of cruise activity while meeting the expectations of both local residents and visitors. Renaud Muselier, President of the Region Sud – Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, praised this bold vision: “With the ‘Zero Smoke Call’ plan, we are taking action for a cleaner Mediterranean. The Sud Region fully supports this exemplary initiative led by Cruise Marseille Provence, which aligns perfectly with our regional strategy for ecological and maritime transition. Together, we are building a leading example for a decarbonized cruise industry – one that respects our territories and meets the expectations of our citizens.”
Integration: a broader, collaborative governance model.
This pillar is built on an expanded and collaborative governance approach that brings together all institutional, port, and tourism stakeholders. The goal is to streamline coordination among all parties and strengthen the consistency of actions at local, regional, and national levels – in a spirit of serving the public interest.
Competitiveness: the association Cruise Marseille Provence is committed to ensuring high-quality cruise calls that bring value to the region. This involves improving the visitor experience, managing tourist flows and optimizing the economic benefits, without focusing solely on traffic growth.
Horizon 2030 doesn’t focus on numbers alone. Instead, it prioritizes a qualitative approach, based on thorough analysis and a strong sense of collective purpose. It stands as a genuine manifesto for a cruise tourism that respects environmental, economic and social balance, both locally rooted and open to the Mediterranean.
“Since its creation, Cruise Marseille Provence has embraced a cooperative approach to best serve the broader region. The Horizon 2030 plan is the natural evolution: an ambitious roadmap for sustainable, integrated cruising that respects local balance. This strategic plan reflects the Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s commitment to a responsible port future.” – Jean-Luc Chauvin, President of the Aix-Marseille-Provence Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
About Jacques Hardelay
An engineer by training, Jacques Hardelay brings extensive experience in both the industrial and maritime sectors. He has held executive roles within major groups such as SAB WABCO and Alstom Transport, before becoming CEO of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, where he oversaw the construction of cruise ships until 2012. He then joined Alstom Hydro as Chief Operating Officer. In 2015, he took the helm of Chantiers Navals de Marseille, serving as President until 2021. Under his leadership, the shipyard became a key player in Mediterranean ship repair, notably through the reopening of Dry Dock 10 – one of the largest dry docks in Europe.
In October 2023, Jacques Hardelay was appointed Deputy President of Cruise Marseille Provence. His technical and strategic expertise, anchored in the local industrial landscape, is a key asset in supporting the cruise sector’s transition toward a more sustainable, high-performing, and environmentally responsible future.
About Cruise Marseille Provence
Founded in 1996, Cruise Marseille Provence– formerly known as the Marseille Provence Cruise Club – adopted its modernized identity in 2023, reflecting a clear, contemporary, and locally rooted vision. Its motto, “Sustainable cruising, committed communities”, embodies its dedication to a more sustainable cruise industry – one that respects the environment and is fully integrated into local life.
The association’s mission is to position Marseille and the Provence region as a leading cruise destination, balancing tourism appeal, economic growth, and ecological transition. Bringing together over 100 public and private stakeholders, the association drives a shared, ambitious vision for the future of cruising, that supports innovation, responsible growth, and the constant evolution of the industry.
