After a hiatus of nearly 18 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Seychelles is set to welcome back its first cruise ship on 14 November 2021. The decision to resume cruise ships arrival came about following joint efforts from the Health authority, the Tourism department and the Port authority to instate new procedures for safe operations. Initially, Seychelles will only be welcoming smaller vessels with a maximum of 300 passengers.

The Principal Secretary for Civil Aviation, Ports & Marine, Mr. Alan Renaud, comments on the two-pronged approach, in the form of a COVID-19 Company and Cruise Ship Checklist for cruise ship operators and in parallel a COVID-19 Port Management Plan for the authorities, which will bring about a sustained control on incoming vessels in an effort to avoid another outbreak.

The above standards have been developed under the guidance of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention Control (ECDC) and endorsed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), and clearly defines the roles of all concerned parties in the implementation of the new procedures.