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MSC Cruises has announced that it is the first international cruise line to be granted a certificate of compliance for its health and safety protocols from the Japanese ship classification society Nippon Kaiji Kyokai.

The granting of the certificate means MSC Bellissima can start cruising in Japan in April 2021 with cruises homeporting in Japan although sales it appears will be limited to locals.

In addition MSC will now be able to commence work with ports in the country to prepare for the season, with the health and safety protocols of MSC and the relevant port authorities in Japan also following the guidelines established by the Japan Oceangoing Passenger Ship Association.

MSC says that MSC Bellissima will be deployed to Japan, homeporting in Yokohama to sail six- to nine-night cruises from April to June 20201, with MSC Bellissima also scheduled to operate in Japan in October and November 2021.

MSC CEO Gianni Onorato said, “To be the first international cruise line in Japan to be awarded this key certification of compliance is a further testament to our robust and rigorous health and safety protocol which led the way for the entire global industry when in Aug we became the first major line to resume cruise operation in the Mediterranean,” said.

MSC said its protocol is also currently being reviewed by authorities in other regions to support phased and local restarts.

A report by John Alwyn-Jones