4-5 April 2025 Working group meeting, Vienna, Austria (Hygiene Standards in European River Cruise Ships: SHIPSAN’s Collaborative Efforts)

Hygiene Standards in European River Cruise Ships: SHIPSAN’s Collaborative Efforts

The EU SHIPSAN ASSOCIATION has been at the forefront of enhancing public health standards in maritime transport. In line with its mission, the Association has been actively revising the European Manual for Hygiene Standards and Communicable Disease Surveillance on Passenger Ships to incorporate updated legislation and lessons learned from recent global health challenges. ​

One of the working groups established for the revision of the European Manual was tasked with reviewing the European Manual and determining which provisions are applicable to inland cruise ships.

Recent Developments:

In April 2025, a pivotal two-day meeting was convened in Vienna, Austria, focusing on the implementation of European Manual for inland passenger vessels. This gathering brought together 15 participants from SHIPSAN, public health authorities from Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Slovakia, and leading river cruise companies, including the European River Cruise Association (IG River Cruise), Viking Cruises, Uniworld Cruises, and Amadeus River Cruises.​

The first day of the meeting (April 4th) focused on finalizing outstanding content-related issues and discussing the implementation of the European Manual for inland passenger shipping companies and was hosted by the Amt der Wiener Landesregierung – MarktAmt (Office of Vienna State Government), Vienna Austria. The second day of the meeting (April 5th), eight of the meeting participants had the opportunity to take part in an educational visit on board the A-Silver an inland cruise vessel of Amadeus River Cruises.

Key Discussion Points:

Looking Ahead:

The EU SHIPSAN ASSOCIATION remains committed to fostering collaboration among public health authorities and the river cruise industry. By harmonizing hygiene standards, the Association aims to enhance passenger safety and promote sustainable practices within the European river cruise sector.​

 

Participants:

 

 

Country Title First Name Surname Organisation/ Authority
1.          Austria Mr Christian Seiringer Amt der Wiener Landesregierung

Marktamt

2.          Mrs Barbara Casar Amt der Wiener Landesregierung

Marktamt

3.          Austria Mr. Andreas Herndler Austrian Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology
4.          Greece Assoc. Prof. Varvara Mouchtouri EU SHIPSAN scientific association, University of Thessaly
5.        Mrs Elina Kostara EU SHIPSAN scientific association, University of Thessaly
6.          Germany Mr Mathias  Kalkowski Hamburg Port Health Authority
7.          Netherlands Mr Thijs Veenstra National Institute for Public Health and the Environment
8.          Mrs Tanja Hartog GGD Kennemerland
9.          Slovak Republic Mrs Iveta Dubrovova Ministry of Transport

Industry and Associations representatives

Title First Name Surname Company
10.       Mr Walter Pittermann  River Advice AG  / European River Cruise Association (IG River Cruise)
11.       Mr. Radu Comănici Lüftner Cruises/European River Cruise Association (IG River Cruise)
12.       Mr Thomas Stellbrink Viking Cruises
13.       Dr Tom Aberg Viking Cruises
14.       Mr Jürgen Hermann Uniworld Cruises
15.       Dr Nicolae Victor Hila Lüftner Cruises, Amadeus river cruise

 

 

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