‘The industry is clearly inching closer to a restart’ – Valletta Cruise Port CEO

Valletta Cruise Port has released its ‘COVID-19 Cruise Operations Guidelines for a Safe Continuation of Cruising in Valletta’, which the cruise and ferry terminal operator hopes will facilitate operations in the current transitional phase. The guidelines have also received approval from the local health authorities.

“It has been a challenging time for the cruise community, but the industry is clearly inching closer to a restart,” says Stephen Xuereb, CEO of Valletta Cruise Port and COO of Global Ports Holding. Commenting on the guidelines, he continues, “after months of discussions with numerous stakeholders we are happy to be sharing these guidelines with the cruise lines and look forward to welcoming cruise ships, their guests and crew to Valletta.”

The guidelines, which have been established on the results of facility assessments within the context of regional events brought about by COVID-19, encapsulate Valletta Cruise Port’s operational plans and procedures when it comes to cruise line protocols, so as to ensure the safe continuation of cruising. Any future calls to Malta, the operator says, must embody these guidelines.

Forming part of Global Ports Holdings (GPH), Valletta Cruise Port embarked on preparations for the post-COVID cruising reality at the onset of the pandemic in January 2020, revising Emergency Response Plans and the Health and Safety Protocols for all 19 ports in the GPH network. Valletta Cruise Port also obtained the Safe Travels stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council, based on the reinforced protocols.