German liner company Hapag-Lloyd has confirmed that another Covid-19 case has been detected among the crew of one of its chartered containerships that has been quarantined off Durban since late May.
The company said in a statement released on Monday that the 2,824-teu Montpellier (built 2006) will remain anchored off Durban for a further unspecified period of quarantine following the detection of a third case amongst the vessel’s crew.
“As a result of this, the vessel will have to remain at anchorage and will not be able to commence cargo operations at Durban in accordance with local health and safety regulations,” the company stated.
“We regret the inconvenience caused by this incident, which remains beyond our control and is being directed by the authorities.”
The vessel is deployed on Hapag-Lloyd's Middle East India Africa Express (MIAX) service.
South African authorities placed the Montpellier under a two-week quarantine order on 18 May after two crew members tested positive for Covid-19 after it arrived off the port.
The ship, which is owned by a single-vessel company linked to Zeaborn GmbH, was prevented from entering port or working cargo.
South Africa has been under one of the world’s most stringent lockdowns, which has seen the military enlisted to help enforce restrictions that have extended as far as banning the sale of alcohol and tobacco products.
As of Tuesday, the country has recorded 50,800 cases of the deadly virus and reported 1,080 deaths.
Hapag-Lloyd added that it continued to do its utmost to safeguard the health and well-being of its seafarers during the pandemic.
“Seafarers are asked not to leave the vessel in the ports and are obliged to wear masks during all port stays,” it said.
So far, there have been few coronavirus outbreaks on commercial vessels outside of the cruise and fishing sectors.
The deadly virus has had a much higher toll on the mental health of seafarers, who have remained confined on board their ships, separated from their families and unable to return home on leave due to restrictions on crew changes and general travel in almost all maritime nations.
