Maritime medical operations and public health provider VIKAND Solutions has appointed Damien O’Connor as Executive Vice President and General Manager for VIKAND Testing Solutions.
VIKAND Testing Solutions is a cruise terminal testing initiative.
O’Connor (pictured) will join the company on 1st March, 2021.
“Damien will be leading our team and our work with partners to deliver VIKAND’s testing solution: a critical requirement in the resumption of global cruising,” explained Peter Hult, VIKAND CEO.
“VIKAND answers the need for innovation with expediency. We understand the urgency of the cruise industry to have safe, accurate, non-invasive, easy-to-operate high throughput technology to help return to sailing.
“In response, VIKAND brings a complete testing solution that cruise, ports and terminal operators can easily deploy with minimal investment,” O’Conner said.
“Damien brings to VIKAND a deep understanding of the cruise industry, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the resumption of cruising requirements, and experience with project management and general management. His direct involvement—spanning some 30 years with leading global cruise lines— benefits the cruise and maritime industries as well as the VIKAND team,” Hult added.
Most recently, O’Connor was the Senior Vice President of hotel operations, on board revenue, newbuild, and fleet modernisation for Royal Caribbean/Silverseas Cruises based in Monaco.
Prior to Silverseas, he held various management positions with Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise and Carnival Cruise lines.
O’Connor joined VIKAND as a Senior Advisor on 8th February, 2021 before transitioning to Executive Vice President and General Manager for VIKAND Testing Solutions on 1st March.
He will head VIKAND’s end-to-end cruise terminal COVID-19 testing initiative.
