Genting Cruise Lines has become the first maritime customer of DNV GL’s certification in infection prevention (CIP-M) for one of its passenger ships.

Together, Genting and DNV GL are working towards providing CIP-M certification for cruise ship Explorer Dream, operated under the Dream Cruises brand.

More cruise ships and operators are expected to follow this example to certify cleanliness and healthcare on their liners as owners attempt to return operations to pre-crisis levels.

This new certification was introduced as cruise shipping is reeling from extreme effects of the global coronavirus pandemic and resultant worldwide travel restrictions. Cruise ships have been at the forefront of the global Covid-19 infections, initially as centres for coronavirus outbreaks and passenger deaths.

As travel restrictions are gradually lifted, the cruise industry hopes to resume ship operations and attract passengers again. For this it needs to inspire confidence in health and safety on its ships.

“The Covid-19 crisis has been unprecedented in its impact on the maritime industry, and on the cruise lines in particular,” said DNV GL chief executive for maritime Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen.

“But I hope that with innovative ideas like CIP-M we can help the industry get moving again in a way that gives passengers and crew confidence that exacting measures are in place to enhance the cruise industry’s already rigorous health and safety standards,” he explained.

CIP-M enables cruise ship operators to demonstrate they have procedures and systems in place to prevent, control and mitigate infection to protect their passengers and crews.

“CIP-M was inspired by health experts and has been tailored for maritime,” said Mr Ørbeck-Nilssen during a press briefing. “It meets the statutory requirements to restore passenger and industry confidence. It is a move forward as a holistic solution to the pressing challenges our industry faces.”

CIP-M builds on DNV GL Healthcare’s work in infection risk management, which includes working with 3,500 healthcare organisations, including certifying 640 hospitals worldwide.

Experts from DNV GL’s Cruise Center in Miami customised the healthcare CIP for use in a maritime setting in co-operation with DNV GL’s Business Assurance division.

CIP-M integrates maritime specific standards, such as the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s vessel sanitation programme, and incorporates national and industry guidelines.

The certification surveys and audits are performed by DNV GL surveyor teams of healthcare infection prevention and control experts together with experienced maritime auditors.

Genting Cruise Lines president Kent Zhu expects CIP-M certification to improve passenger confidence in its ability to prevent infections. “With consumers’ heightened expectations on safety and well-being, the customised CIP-M certification will indeed further boost consumers’ confidence in cruising as we recommence operations in the very near future. At Genting Cruise Lines, the safety and well-being of our guests and crew are of paramount importance to us,” he continued.

“From the onset of the pandemic, Genting Cruise Lines has been at the forefront in enhancing its preventive and safety measures with the Covid-19 pandemic in mind.

We were the first in the industry to launch and introduce our enhanced measures, which we will adopt as the new safety normal for our fleet and we hope for the industry too.”

CIP-M assessment of Genting Cruise Lines has already kicked off with a re-assessment of the company’s management system, to be followed by a certification survey of Explorer Dream. Genting expects the certification programme to be successfully completed by the end of June.

As part of the CIP-M certification, DNV GL assesses vessel operations, including enhanced sanitation procedures, food preparation and handling, physical distancing requirements and personal protective equipment use by crew members. DNV GL also evaluates maintenance of public health essential systems, emergency response plans, pre-boarding screening, embarkation and debarkation processes, and itinerary or port planning protocols.

Annual surveys on board and company audit ashore are conducted to verify continued compliance and improvement.