A crew member has died following an outbreak of Covid-19 on an Odfjell tanker en route from South Africa to Belgium.
The Oslo-listed shipowner's chief operating officer, Harald Fotland, told TradeWinds that a number of seafarers had tested positive on the 45,000-dwt chemical carrier Bow Summer (built 2005) between Durban and Antwerp.
"The vessel therefore anchored at Wandelaar upon arrival. One of our seafarers became very ill, and sadly passed away after being transported to hospital by helicopter on October 11," he said.
The company does not yet know whether his death was a direct consequence of Covid-19 or from other causes.
Fotland said: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague, and our focus now is to give the best support to his family and the affected crew on board Bow Summer."
The "vast majority" of the crew is either fully or partly vaccinated, Odfjell told TradeWinds.
"The crew members who tested positive currently stay at a quarantine facility ashore. Fortunately, they experience few to zero symptoms," Fotland added.
Ship back in action on Saturday
The seafarers who have stayed on board are not infected, which has been confirmed by multiple tests, the Fotland said.
"We plan for the ship to return to operation on Saturday," he added.
Odfjell is cooperating closely with the local agent and authorities in Antwerp, and said it greatly appreciates the valuable support received.
"Belgian pilots, port authorities, health authorities, harbour police and our agent have all been very solution-oriented," Fotland said.
"The assistance they have provided is a true example of best practice in a complex situation," he added.
The Puertos 928 website had reported that six seafarers on the tanker tested positive on arrival at Antwerp.
The ship had made a brief stop in Las Palmas in the Canary Islands for refuelling.
A total of 13 out of 26 seafarers have now tested positive, the report said.
