Bureau Veritas (BV) has released two new class notations: BIORISK MANAGED and ‘BIORISK SECURED.

BV announced that it had developed these new standards after close consultation and collaboration with key stakeholders including shipyards and shipowners.

BIORISK MANAGED focuses on the creation and implementation of an outbreak management plan according to the basic principles of the RYB protocols (Bureau Veritas’ Restart your Business), the first such guidelines for the shipping industry, which were introduced in April 2020 for the cruise and ferry sectors.

BIORISK MANAGED includes responsibilities and resource management on board, supply requirements, including PPE and medical equipment, procedures, behavioral and operational recommendations, appropriate training for the crew, and the redesign, rearrangement or change of rooms and systems, such as heating , Ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC).

Today in Chantiers de l’Atlantique, MSC Cruises received the new MSC Virtuosa, the world’s first ship to receive the BIORISK SECURED notation.

Emilio La Scala, President of MSC Cruises Management, said: “The MSC Virtuosa is the first cruise ship in the world to receive this important new notation. We are all very proud of it. It is a testament to the unique and rigorous nature of health – and security protocol that we developed in response to the pandemic situation in the world and that has allowed us to restart in the Mediterranean since August and to date have welcomed nearly 40,000 guests safely and responsibly. We appreciate this further recognition of our industry leading approach to protection of guests, crew members and the destinations our ships visit. “

Yves Pelpel, Senior Vice President Technical at Chantiers de l’Atlantique, commented: “We are very proud to deliver the first ship with the BIORISK SECURED notation. This success is the result of the fruitful collaboration between MSC, BV and CDA -Teams increase the crew and the safety of the passengers. “

Laurent Leblanc, Senior Vice President Technical & Operations at Bureau Veritas, added: “Since we launched our Restart Your Business (RYB) initiative in April last year, we have continuously adapted our approach based on experience gained and the availability of new ones Guidelines. RYB successfully provided a framework for ferry companies to continue operations in the pandemic and put cruise lines in a strong position to get back on track – if and when conditions permit. These new BIORISK notations now offer one A regulatory framework that offers an approach that can be adopted by all ship operators of all types of ships – and this can be certified by Bureau Veritas. “