Hapag-Lloyd has confirmed two separate cases of Covid-19 among seafarers on one of its ships and on one belonging to THE Alliance partner HMM.

The German liner company said a crew member on the 8,600-teu Sofia Express (built 2010) had tested positive for Covid-19 while in operations in the port of Tacoma.

The affected crew member was said to have been immediately isolated ashore and the vessel completed cleaning and sanitization.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Coast Guard subsequently allowed the vessel to depart Tacoma.

"Regretfully the vessel berthing at Vancouver will be delayed pending clearance from Canadian health authorities and quarantine requirements before being allowed to proceed to GCT Deltaport for cargo operations," Hapag-Lloyd said.

Latest AIS data shows the German-flagged vessel anchored of the town of Manchester, Washington.

In the second case, a crew member aboard the 10,000-teu Hyundai Saturn (built 2016) tested positive for Covid-19 prior to the vessel’s departure from Los Angeles earlier this month.

Immediately isolated

The affected crew member was said to have been immediately isolated onboard and the vessel completed cleaning and sanitization.

All crew members aboard the UK-flagged ship, which is operating on Hapag-Lloyd’s Pacific South Loop 8 (PS8) service, were reported to have also taken the necessary precautions.

The ship completed cargo operations at Los Angeles and the vessel departed the terminal early on 4 April 2021. Latest AIS data shows the ship waiting at the Los Angeles anchorage.

Hapag-Lloyd said the vessel's departure from the Los Angeles area was contingent upon completion of the required period of quarantine and subject to approval by the relevant authorities.

“The ship’s crews will be re-tested after the 14 days and at that time we will update the vessel schedule and status,” the shipowner said.

Hapag-Lloyd said it regretted the inconvenience caused by this incident which it said “remains beyond our control”.

“Please be assured that we continue to do our utmost to safeguard health and well-being of our seafarers during the pandemic,” the shipowner added.