From October 1st, Hansjoerg Kunze will take over as vice president communication and sustainability for Costa Crociere S.p.A for the brands of Costa Crociere, AIDA and Iberocruceros.

He will replace Mina Piccinini, who has decided to leave the company for personal reasons, according to a statement from Costa.

Kunze has nine years of experience in the cruise business, and is joining Costa from AIDA, where he was vice president of communication and public relations.

Kunze’s appointment “reflects the strategy of closer cooperation between the different brands of the Costa Group.”

He will report directly to Michael Thamm, CEO of Costa Crociere S.p.A.

Costa added, in a statement, that it wanted to thank Mina Piccinini “for the commitment and professionalism she has demonstrated in enhancing the company’s corporate reputation, especially on the occasion of the recent Concordia parbuckling operation and wishes Mina all the best for her personal life and her professional future.”