MV St. Louis Express. File Photo: MarineTraffic.com/Carsten Feldhusen
Hapag-Lloyd has announced positive COVID-19 cases on board two of its U.S.-flagged ships.
The German container shipping group said the cases were confirmed on the Philadelphia Express and St. Louis Express, both deployed on its Atlantic Loop 3 (AL3) service. One member on each vessel tested positive for COVID-19, the company said.
“The mariners are quarantined and we are hoping for a speedy recovery. All other crew members on the vessel are being isolated, monitored and will be tested as well,” Hapag-Lloyd’s statement said.
“We are currently evaluating any potential impact on vessel and cargo operations and berthing dates for the subsequent ports of the rotation will be adjusted accordingly,” it added.
Hapag-Lloyd’s AL3 service connects the U.S. east coast ports (and Houston) and northern Europe utilizing six U.S.-flagged containerships.
AIS data shows the MV Philadelphia Express is currently at anchor off Norfolk, Virginia after arriving from Savannah, Georgia. The MV St. Louis Express is currently underway from Houston to Savannah.
Late last month, ten crew members have tested positive for the virus on board the MV Maersk Idaho in what was thought to be the first reported outbreak of the virus on an American commercial ship.
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