Tag Archives: ECDC

MSC Cruises obtains additional safety stamp

Posted on by
Reply
MSC Magnifica in the Forth of Firth Edinburgh.

MSC Cruises has obtained a further stamp of approval for its ability to reduce the risk of infection on board its flagship.

MSC Grandiosa, currently operating in the Mediterranean, has been awarded the Biosafe Ship additional class notation assigned by the classification society RINA.

RINA had previously verified that MSC Cruises’ health and safety protocols met European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Joint Guidance, which incorporates additional health standards including those from the EU Healthy Gateways Joint Action, allowing it to restart sailings in August.

The Biosafe Ship is an additional goal-based and voluntary notation that certifies that the ship is equipped with systems, components and has a layout and operational procedures that reduce infection risk.

Grandiosa is on her eighth consecutive weekly cruise serving guests from the Schengen area, with UK guests currently unable to board. Its other ship, MSC Magnifica, is scheduled to resume sailing on October 19.

New procedures on both ships include universal Covid-19 testing for all guests and crew prior to embarkation, protected “social bubble” shore visits at each destination and the introduction of a Covid Protection Plan of insurance.

European Union cruise return guidance published

Posted on by
Reply

TUI Cruises' Mein Schiff 2 sails on return voyage with 1,200 people

Mein Schiff 3 returns to service

Cruise body Clia has welcomed the publication of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) guidance on the resumption of cruise ship operations in the European Union.

The 36-page document does not set a date for a return for cruising in the EU but Clia said member lines envisage a gradual, ‘phased-in’ approach to resumption.

The EMSA guidance provides recommendations relating to the development of ship and port management plans and the interaction between cruise operations and ports and terminals.

Co-authored with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the EMSA guidance follows the recent publication of EU Healthy Gateways guidance on the resumption of cruise ship operations.

Viewed together, these guidance documents aim to establish a pan-European benchmark for national maritime transport and public health authorities for the future resumption of cruising in Europe.

Clia and its member cruise lines have been engaged in the development of the guidance, and lines are also identifying appropriate ‘door-to-door’ protocols based on evolving guidance from health authorities and medical experts that cover passengers from the time of booking their cruise to the holiday itself and their safe return home.

Tom Boardley, secretary-general of Clia Europe, said: “This guidance from the European Maritime Safety Agency is an important resource for authorities and operators focused on the safe resumption of cruising in Europe.”

In American waters, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has implemented a No Sail Order to the end of September.