Infection prevention assurance launched by DNV GL

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Certification in infection prevention has been introduced by DNV GL in a move to assist shipping in resuming operations better prepared to cope with Covid-19 or other emerging pathogens.

Launching the initiative at a virtual press conference yesterday, Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, ceo of DNV GL – Maritime revealed that the assurance programme resulting in Certificates in Infection Prevention – Maritime (CIP-M) has been developed in cross-sector collaboration within the class society, with DNV GL Maritime, Healthcare and Business Assurance all working closely together.

Initially likely to attract the attention of cruise operators, the sector hit hardest by the virus, the CIP-M are will also to appeal to other ship sectors, Ørbeck-Nilssen said, including passenger ships, ro-ro and ro-pax vessels, offshore assets and potentially other commercial vessels.  

The classification society has already attracted its first client. The Genting Group intends to undergo the CIP-M assurance process for its expedition cruise vessel, Explorer Dream, currently believed to be in the South China Sea.

In other developments, Ørbeck-Nilssen referred to “turbocharged digitalisation” which has moved shipping’s technology drive forward by more than half a decade, much of it a result of the Covid-19 impact.

He also affirmed support for LNG as a marine fuel, describing it as a very efficient bridging technology and part of a journey to future better fuels which are not ready yet. “We shouldn’t wait for the ideal solution,” he said, pointing out that shipping could take advantage of greenhouse gas emission reduction of between 15-20% right now.

On a less positive note, Ørbeck-Nilssen drew attention to the 150,000 seafarers who have not been allowed to head home on leave to their families. Crew changes, he said, are essential to maintain the world’s maritime supply chains which are essential for so many aspects of life, including food and medicine. Seafarers should be classed as key workers, he said, and treated accordingly.