A number of seafarers on board the containership Gjertrud Maersk, owned by the world’s largest shipping company Maersk, have been evacuated from the ship and taken to a hospital for treatment after experiencing symptoms linked to Covid-19.
The seafarers started showing symptoms on March 23 and were immediately isolated on the vessel, a Maersk spokesperson confirmed to our news desk.
“We are still awaiting the official report from authorities as well as the hospital. The safety and health of our people is our main priority and we are doing our utmost to provide the best possible care for our colleagues affected,” the spokesperson said.
The Danish-flagged 9,074 TEU containership was awaiting phasing into Maersk’s network and is currently idle at the quayside in Ningbo, China.
In addition, the shipping major said it was keeping a close dialogue with local government authorities as well as port Authorities who are providing assistance in dealing with the situation.
Maersk added that extra precaution measures will be taken for crew replacement and that sanitations will be implemented.