Public Health Congress 2022 on Maritime Transport and Ports:
sailing to the post-COVID-19 era
21 -22 October 2022, Athens, Greece
The European Scientific Association for Health and Hygiene in Maritime Transport (EU SHIPSAN ASSOCIATION) organized in collaboration with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports (MedCruise) the inaugural international Public Health Congress 2022 on Maritime Transport and Ports: sailing to the post-COVID-19 era on 21-22 October 2022 at Eugenides Foundation in Athens.
The Congress brought together about 400 expert scientists, government officials, maritime industry representatives, port administrators and other organisations. More than 80 expert speakers and chairs from national, European and international organisations (WHO, European Commission DG MOVE, EMSA, US CDC, CLIA, MedCruise, ECSA) discussed the latest, evidence-based, scientific data in the field of public health in maritime transport. In addition to invited speakers, 41 abstracts were submitted out of which 39 were accepted: 29 for oral and 10 for poster presentation. The Congress was organised in hybrid mode giving the opportunity for both in person or virtual participation.
The Congress took place under the auspice of the Hellenic Ministries of Health, Tourism, and Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy, and the University of Thessaly in Greece. Greece was one of the first countries worldwide that allowed safe and fast cruise resumption.
The aim of the event was to present best practices and current research and innovation activities and results in the field of public health in maritime transport. Issues related to evidence-based prevention and response strategies for global health diseases such as COVID-19, Monkeypox, influenza, Norovirus gastroenteritis, as well as environmental health and hygiene, crew health, cross-border health threats related to the maritime transport sector were discussed. Cruise line protocols represented some of the strongest actions taken by any industry to address and mitigate COVID-19. Ports in the Med also have worked intensively to create the conditions for safe cruise ships and passengers and crew visits. The responsible return of cruise tourism has been underpinned by collaboration with governments and public health experts, and the industry’s efforts were proven effective.
During the Congress, scientific evidence was presented about effective measures to safely restart cruise ship operations, as well as research results demonstrating that cruise ships implementing certain protocols have been a safe holiday setting during the pandemic when comparing the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the community and land-based holiday premises. As we move into the post-COVID-19 era, it is important to use the knowledge gained to improve preparedness and move to potential future public health risks in ports and ships. After the pandemic-related drop, the cruise industry is steadily recovering, and the forecast is to surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Globally, the cruise industry generates more $150 billion in economic activity every year, supporting 1.17 million jobs.
For more information, visit the congress website here
