CLIA member cruise lines welcome the European Maritime Safety Agency's (EMSA) publication on the resumption of cruise operations in the European Union following the voluntary suspension of worldwide cruise passenger operations in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The EMSA guide provides recommendations related to ship development, port management plans, and the interaction between cruise operations with 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 operations. Together, these documents aim to establish a pan-European benchmark for national shipping and public health authorities for the future resumption of cruises in Europe.
CLIA and its members have participated in developing the guide, which will help inform the development of protocols at the national level. They are also identifying appropriate protocols, based on evolving guidance from health authorities and medical experts, that cover passengers from the moment they book their cruise until their safe return home.
On behalf of CLIA Europe, Secretary General Tom Boardley stated: “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.”.
“Governments across Europe are developing national protocols and agreements, and cruise lines continue to work in collaboration with national governments to design the safe resumption of operations. This guide complements the EU Healthy Gateways guide, which will serve as a useful checklist for national maritime authorities. Therefore, we hope that the Spanish authorities will approve their protocols as soon as possible, as other European countries such as Germany and Norway have already done, and that the sector's activity will resume,”
said Alfredo Serrano, director of CLIA Spain.
CLIA member cruise lines anticipate a phased approach to resuming operations. CLIA and its members' commitment to health and safety is unwavering, and the combination of European guidance, national regulations, cruise line protocols, and port and terminal protocols will offer greater levels of confidence for passengers and crew.
