Page 40: of Marine News Magazine (October 2020)

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INTERIOR OUTFITTING

COVID-19 INFLUENCING PASSENGER VESSEL DESIGN

By Eric Haun ot long ago, at the start of 2020, the market Design International, noted that even in the past, before for passenger vessel construction was boom- COVID-19, there were high-pro? le cases of illnesses on ing, with record orders rolling in across the size passenger ships that led to an increased focus on sanitation spectrum, from small passenger vessels all the measures on board as well as new rules and regulations for

N way up to the world’s largest mega cruise liners. things such as hand washing and dining arrangements.

But then passenger vessels of all types and sizes began to Of course, a strong focus on health and safety is noth- empty out as COVID-19 spread. A large number of fer- ing new for the passenger vessel industry. The current pan- ries were taken out of service or left operating with drasti- demic has simply ampli? ed it as operators and designers cally reduced ridership (or in some cases, none at all) while hash out new solutions to the current situation.

the cruise industry—a related but separate species—was “Now what we see occurring is companies will come up brought to a virtual standstill. The new construction busi- with new ideas and new materials and new design solu- ness that was so strong quickly dried up. Many existing tions that will be more cutting-edge in this aspect. And the vessel orders were shelved or scrapped altogether, and the companies that are on the forefront of that have a lot to once steady stream of new orders was reduced to some- gain,” Tillberg said.

thing less than a trickle. Tillberg’s Florida-based company specializes in the de-

Now, as travel and transit restrictions begin to ease in sign of passenger vessels. Carlos Reyes, the ? rm’s other some locations, the passenger vessel industry is plotting managing partner, said the company is hard at work devel- for its eventual return to full service, complete with health oping a number of solutions that will, ? rst and foremost, and safety adjustments suited to the new coronavirus keep passengers safe, but also help them to feel safe and world. While the timing of any signi? cant restart remains comfortable on board. uncertain, the fact that safe operations will require a host “The selection of a given cruise line by the customer is of procedure and protocol changes is a given. Even design not going to be driven only by the itinerary or the food, changes, especially to vessel interiors and onboard public entertainment or the price; it’s going to be heavily driven spaces, are expected to come about. by at what point you feel safe bringing your family on

Tomas Tillberg, a managing partner at Tomas Tillberg board,” Reyes said.

October 2020

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