Hong Kong authorities have revealed an outbreak of Covid-19 on a Mediterranean Shipping Co containership in China.
In a statement on its website, Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection said it had received a notification from Chinese customs about 11 new cases involving crew from the 12,400-teu MSC Flavia (built 2012).
The vessel docked in Ningbo on 26 June, where tests were carried out.
Nine of the 11 had boarded the vessel in Hong Kong on 24 June.
Six had arrived from Indonesia, two from Greece and one from Croatia between 21 June and 23 June.
No symptoms were in evidence when they arrived in Hong Kong, but two of the nine were found to have a fever when they arrived in Ningbo.
The remaining seven were asymptomatic.
MSC said in a statement: "We confirm that MSC Flavia has been alongside at berth in the port of Ningbo, China, since 26 June 2020, after eleven members of the crew tested positive for Covid-19.
"The health and well-being of our staff will always be our top priority. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak we have implemented robust health measures to protect our seafarers across our fleet. In addition, we observe guidance and instructions from local authorities in relation to vessel and cargo operations wherever we operate."
Further information needed
The CHP stated that it has contacted the mainland health department to obtain further information on the case.
AIS data showed the ship moored in Ningbo on Friday.
MSC has been contacted for further information.
Despite many countries emerging from lockdown in recent weeks, the virus continues to make itself felt in shipping.
On Thursday, Romanian shipbuilder Damen Shipyards Galati revealed one worker had died and 41 had contracted Covid-19 in June.
Also last month, there were outbreaks on a Minerva Marine product tanker in Antwerp and a Maersk containership off the US east coast.
Hong Kong has reported about 1,240 cases of the coronavirus, including seven deaths.
Data from Johns Hopkins University shows that, overall, China has had 84,800 cases, including 4,641.
