- A cruise ship in the Caribbean and a container ship in the Mediterranean have been not allowed to unload their cargo or passengers, amidst virus scare.
- Cruise ship MSC Meravigilia with over 4,500 passengers and over 1,600 crew members was denied disembarkation of either passengers or crew at Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
- Container ship MSC Lausanne is probably, having issues with her next port of call on schedule, Ashdod, Israel.
In the middle of the coronavirus scare, a cruise ship in Caribbean and a container ship in Mediterranean have been denied to unload their cargo, writes Mikhail Voytenko for Maritime Bulletin.
Cruise ship denied disembarkation
Cruise ship MSC Meravigilia with over 4,500 passengers and over 1,600 crew members was denied disembarkation of either passengers or crew at Ocho Rios, Jamaica, after she docked in port on Feb 25, in accordance with cruise itinerary.
Port Health Officials discovered that a crew member was placed in isolation on board, with a cough, fever and associated muscle pains, with a travel history to a country related to coronavirus.
After waiting in port for nearly four hours for formal clearance, ship’s command decided to leave Ocho Rios for the next port of call as the long wait had compromised the passengers’ proposed time at the destination.
MSC Meravigilia is scheduled to go on to Cozumel, Mexico, and then to the Bahamas. It is unclear if the ship will be allowed to land at those destinations.
As of 0500 UTC February 26, the ship was under way, south of Cayman islands, heading for Cozumel Mexico.
Containership having trouble with port of call
Container ship MSC Lausanne is probably, having problem with her next port of call on schedule, Ashdod, Israel.
One of ship’s crew was recently in South Korea and 14 or 27 day incubation period didn’t yet expire. It was enough for Ashdod Port Authority to reportedly, deny or postpone ship’s docking in port.
The crew including seaman in question are healthy in all respects, the the ship already traveled half of Europe with no problems whatsoever, but it doesn’t convince Ashdod officials.
Trading companies already sent letters and requests to Israel industry association, asking association to assist, and allow the ship to dock in port. A lot of goods they expect and count on, may finish up in limbo.
Final decision is to be made by Ministry of Health. The ship undocked Lymassol Cyprus, early in the morning Feb 26, her next port of call being Ashdod, ETA Feb 26. She anchored at Lymassol anchorage, and as of 0500 UTC Feb 26, remained at anchor.
Did you subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Maritime Bulletin
