Search for best-in-class provider to disinfect Diamond Princess

FILE PHOTO: PRINCESS CRUISES Diamond Princess.jpeg
Diamond Princess is to be cleaned and disinfected from bow to stern, Princess President Jan Swartz said
Princess Cruises is seeking a best-in-class service provider to disinfect Diamond Princess following the ship’s coronavirus quarantine.

Global search

The company on Saturday announced a global search for a provider with advanced, scientifically proven cleaning and disinfection capabilities to work on the 115,875gt ship after passengers and crew have disembarked in Yokohama.

A reported 634 people were diagnosed with coronavirus during the course of the ship's two-week quarantine in Yokohama, which ended Feb. 19 as passengers who tested negative by the Japan Ministry of Health began to disembark. Two deaths were reported in hospitals ashore. 

Princess said it invites proposals and estimates from the most technologically advanced service providers in this business. The company intends to manage an extensive out-of-service cleaning, disinfection and refurbishment period. The location of the project will be announced soon. 

Virox disinfection agent

‘We are seeking to identify the best resources to partner with to clean and disinfect the ship from bow to stern,’ Princess President Jan Swartz said. ‘To accomplish this critically important undertaking, Princess will engage a vendor that has experience in significant cleaning and disinfection projects and experience in the use of the disinfectant agent Virox, which is well-known to be an effective disinfectant. The expert use of personal protective equipment is also a requirement for the chosen service provider.’

From staterooms to technical spaces and more

Areas and requirements for cleaning and disinfecting include staterooms, for the removal and proper disposal of all towels, bed linens, mattress pads, pillows, duvets, shower curtains and mattresses.

Also required is the cleaning of all carpets, draperies and other soft furnishings, all corridors and handrails and housekeeping storage and service areas. Further spaces include galleys, pantries, dishes and service ware, restaurant and food and beverage areas, entertainment areas and public venues (retail shops, spa, salon, fitness center, etc.). 

Technical and machine spaces are in the remit, too, along with all crew living areas, all deck areas and handrails and the medical center. 

So, too, all marine, hotel and operations equipment, and any other areas required after an assessment.

Princess said the cleaning and disinfection of air handling units and ventilation, including ducts, fan rooms, coils and systems will be developed by the company’s technical services separately using specialist cleaning contractors. 

Princess is seeking a specialist vendor prepared to work within set standards and across government entities. Companies wishing to submit a proposal should be prepared to comply with detailed standards set forth by experts in health protocols and administration such as the Japanese Ministry of Health, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, in addition to the operational standards established by the line.  

Proposals due Feb. 26

Qualified companies are asked to contact contact [email protected] to communicate interest in presenting capabilities and the intention to prepare a bid. Full specifications and requirements will follow. Proposals are to be received by Feb. 26. 

Intent for April 29 return to service

Princess added it intends to keep Diamond Princess, which was built in Japan in 2004, homeported in the country. As earlier reported here, the line has stated it hopes to return the ship to service April 29, for the start of Japan's annual Golden Week celebrations.