Two seafarers have died and another is in hospital as Brazil's dire Covid-19 emergency spread to three vessels.
These are only the second and third known coronavirus deaths reported on ships worldwide following the loss of a master on a CSL Group bulker, the 11,500-dwt Tertnes (built 1985), off Norway in March.
Brazil's health agency Anvisa said a 63-year-old Filipino crew member was taken to hospital from the 82,000-dwt Vita Future (built 2015) in Santos, Sao Paulo state, on 5 April.
He died on 12 April and had tested positive for Covid-19.
Remains under quarantine
The rest of the crew on the bulker, operated by Greece's Vita Management, was said to be healthy.
The vessel had moored in Santos early on 2 April. It remains under quarantine at anchor. This is due to be lifted on Thursday.
Brazilian shipowner Log-In Logistica has also revealed the death of a seafarer in March.
Newspaper A Tribuna said an engineer died shortly after disembarking from the 2,700-teu boxship Log-In Polaris (built 2019) in Macapa, Amapa state.
Joao Clementino Costa Jr had been with the company since 2019.
The shipowner said it deeply regretted his death.
The company added that as soon as it became aware of his symptoms, it provided immediate health care on board and contacted Anvisa before prompt disembarkation.
Following the protocols
It said it has been complying with all Anvisa's Covid-19 protocols.
Log-In added that it is providing all the necessary assistance to the employee's family "in this moment of sadness and pain".
Meanwhile, Anvisa said a 46-year-old Ukrainian crew member from Portline's 58,500-dwt bulker Florinda (built 2008) was taken to hospital in Santos on 9 April.
The agency reported that he had Covid-19 but is making a strong recovery.
None of his colleagues have shown symptoms.
The Florinda had arrived from West Africa and was quarantined on 9 April. This will last until Thursday.
Brazil's daily Covid-19 deaths hit 4,000 for the first time earlier in April. A total of 373,000 people have died there during the pandemic.
