Ferry operator aims for Covid-19 safe certification

Spanish ferry company, Baleària, is planning to be the first shipping company with vessels and facilities that have been certified as free of Covid-19 by classification society Bureau Veritas (BV). The Global Safe Site Covid-19 certification at the highest level of “Excellence” will certify that Baleària’s twelve operating ferries and terminals have specific procedures, cleaning plans, organisational and personal protective measures in place to prevent Covid-19. Regular tests will be carried out to ensure that there continues to be no viral infection.

The BV assurance will demonstrate that Baleària has exceeded the requirements of the Ministry of Health in Spain and the World Health Organization in terms of safety procedures and monitoring. In addition to the 12 operating vessels, a further four ships will be certified when they enter service following the lifting of current restrictions. Meanwhile, two ferry terminals, which the company manages in Dénia and Valencia, will also be included in the BV assurance process. Certification is expected early in June and will be renewed every six months.

Adolfo Utor, Baleària’s president, commented that travel by sea is safer than other transport modes because the large spaces available on board ship allow adequate social distancing. “At Baleària, we are working to increase the inherent level of safety of this means of transport, and Bureau Veritas certification will provide a guarantee that our ships are the most trustworthy means of travel,” he said.