Cruise & Ferry Review - Autumn/Winter 2020

1 9 6 Vessel hygiene is under the microscope like never before and Bolidt has a flooring solution to limit the spread of bacteria and support the industry’s imminent revival REPORT Laying the groundwork for improved hygiene R enowned as an innovative partner for interior designers, Netherlands-based company Bolidt develops innovative flooring and coating systems. Currently in the spotlight is an antimicrobial covering that was originally devised for the healthcare sector but is now being offered to cruise lines. Having made a name for itself on land, the solution had not previously been considered for passenger ships because it was not deemed necessary, explains Jacco van Overbeek, director of Bolidt’s maritime division. “Now the pandemic has brought that into question, and we have a product ready to go that could be of great help to cruise lines,” he says. The material employs patented technology to puncture multidrug- resistant bacteria and prevent them from reproducing. Since this is a mechanical process, the microbes cannot become immune to it, and so the material remains effective indefinitely. On a cruise ship the covering would be applied to Bolideck 525. Generally used