Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services - a company that provides shoreside assistance and port operations services to the cruise industry worldwide - has partnered with Vikand Solutions - a global provider of maritime medical operations and healthcare solutions - with the goal of developing a Global Port Medical Network.
The Global Port Medical Network will assist in the COVID-19 pandemic response by supporting the safe return to service for the cruise industry and the broader maritime industry. With a presence in ports worldwide, Intercruises will leverage its team's expertise and relationships to gather key information about medical facilities in various locations. This information will be incorporated into a continuously evolving database managed by the Vikand team, which will also collaborate with Intercruises on defining and implementing medical protocols tailored to the resources available at each destination.
“We are proud to have already played a role in the safe return to cruising, but we must continue to take steps that support this process,” says Olga Piqueras, CEO of Intercruises. “By working with Vikand on this initiative, we are leveraging Intercruises’ local presence and relationships to better support our cruise customers and the communities in which we operate.”.
The Global Port Medical Network will help cruise companies adhere to the protocols established by the EU's Healthy Gateways Commission and other national health authorities. These require cruise operators to have agreements with local health agencies and/or healthcare providers, ensuring that ambulance and medical care can be provided for potential COVID-19 cases.
“Within Vikand’s broader Medical Network (VMN), the Global Port Medical Network we have developed with Intercruises comprises a comprehensive system of destination medical services and providers with existing relationships with port agencies. This tool allows us to ensure the availability of medical facilities prepared to act if needed, further strengthening our customers’ safe return to service and providing them and their passengers with peace of mind,” says Peter Hult, CEO of Vikand. “Through this initiative with Intercruises, we can confirm that we are prepared to provide support in situations involving potential COVID-19 cases on board.”.
