Given that much of the world is currently affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is no wonder that work on the PEPP project has also be disrupted. Travel restrictions have made collaboration between researchers and stakeholders in Denmark, Ghana and other parts of the world difficult. Other academic excursions related to the project, such as participating in the SMB2020 conference in Hamburg, have either been cancelled or postponed. The future remains uncertain, which make project planning that much more complex and demanding. The PEPP team have attempted to overcome such challenges by continuing our close working relationship under these stressful times. Fortunately, given the geographical distance between researchers working on the project, PEPP have long been accustomed to using digital solutions such as video communication to support our scholarly endeavours. Furthermore, the COVID-19 event also serves as a striking case of how a global emergency can effect shipping, port operations and the maritime sector in general. The PEPP team have been hard at work collecting research material on this matter in an attempt to implement the effects of Corona into the overall research project, and hope to soon be able to present these important findings to relevant stakeholders and the wider public. As some parts of the world are slowly beginning to open back up and summer holidays are ending, normal work on the PEPP project have recommenced and we look forward to continue our research.

Stay safe.