Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises, is assuming a very influential role in the cruise sector at a time when the entire industry is struggling to survive the Covid-19 downturn.

Vago, the Swiss cruiseship owner's top guy since 2013, has been appointed to a two-year term as global chairman of Miami-based Cruise Lines International Association, effective immediately.

“This is a highly critical juncture for our industry globally," he said in a statement.