Several members of the crew of the 2,824TEU container ship, Montpellier, have tested positive for Covid-19, according to Hapag-Lloyd.
The 2006-built vessel is deployed in the German carrier’s Middle East India Africa Express (MIAX) service which is currently at anchorage outside the port of Tema in Ghana. The port rotation of the service is Jebel Ali, Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Colombo, La Reunion, Durban, Cape Town, Tema, Lagos (Tincan and Apapa), Cape Town, Durban, and Jebel Ali.
“As a safety measure, the local authorities have ordered the vessel to remain at quarantine anchorage for now and have further directed that no cargo operations can be undertaken at this time,” said the Hamburg-based line in its statement.
In addition, berthing at Tema and subsequent ports of the rotation will be adjusted accordingly.
Hapag-Lloyd added it will continue to provide updates of further developments, “which remain out of our control and is being directed by the authorities.”
It is noteworthy that there were also reported Covid-19 cases in Montpellier’s crew in May, during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Montpelier is the second Hapag-Lloyd vessel to be hit with a Covid-19 outbreak within in a week. On 6 January the carrier reported that the Prague Express was delayed near Cartegena, Columbia, following a crew member testing positive on that vessel.
