MSC Cruises announced today that the company has received ‘certificate of compliance’ from the Japanese maritime classification society ClassNK for its health and safety protocol which is the first step towards the restart of cruises in Japan. In a press release, MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato said they are anticipating to resume cruises from Japan in  April 2021.

The cruise ship MSC Bellissima will be deployed to Japan for final preparations before resuming cruises homeporting in Yokohama. The ship will sail six- to nine-night cruises from April to June, and if all goes according to plans, will operate in Japan in October and November.

“We are extremely pleased to have received this certification and are now confident that we will be able to restart our Japan operation serving the local market by April 2021.” Said Gianni Onorato.

Junichi Hirata, ClassNK’s General Manager of Innovation and Sustainability Department, said, “This is the first important step of a longer-term plan for MSC Cruises to resume Japanese cruise operations in the first half of 2021, and we will now work closely with the line towards that goal.”

Hiroya Nakano, Director-General of City of Yokohama’s Port and Harbor Bureau, concurs and said, “It is great news that MSC Cruises has received this certificate of approval from ClassNK for its health and safety guidelines. The Port of Yokohama is committed to cooperate accordingly for the re-starting of international cruises in spring 2021.”

The strict Health and safety operating protocols of port authorities in Japan and MSC Cruises will also follow guidelines established by the Japan Oceangoing Passenger Ship Association.

Mr Onorato added: “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 August we became the first major line to resume cruise operation in the Mediterranean.