Despite the notion that crews at sea are less prone to the Covid-19 coronavirus, an MR2 tanker quarantined in Belgium has an outbreak among 15 of the 26-strong crew
The 2009-built, MR2 product tanker Minerva Oceania is reported to have been quarantined since arriving in Antwerp on 26 June 2020.
According to news agency Reuters, half the crew of 45,000-dwt Minerva Oceania have tested positive for Covid-19 coronavirus.
Two of the 15 who tested positive have been taken to hospital. The rest are self-isolating in their cabins.
Minerva Oceania loaded at Ras Laffan, Qatar, sailed on 17 May 2020 arriving at Antwerp, Belgium on 25 June 2020, according to VesselsValue.
The vessel is said to be quarantined until 4 July 2020.
The shipping industry is currently struggling to ensure crew changes take place and has argued there is little likelihood of a crew catching Covid-19 coronavirus while at sea.
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