MSC large container ship reports positive COVID-19 cases, voyage interrupted after calling at multiple Chinese ports

On January 12, Hapag-Lloyd's "GUAYAQUIL EXPRESS" was forced to interrupt its voyage after a crew member tested positive and has been diverted to the Valparaíso anchorage for "quarantine." "MSC LAUREN" is the latest of four vessels (the two mentioned above plus MSC BRANKA and MT ARICA) that have been barred from berthing by Chilean health authorities over the past 11 days.

"MSC LAUREN" has a capacity of 12,400 TEU, was built in 2011, and measures 365.85 meters in length and 48.44 meters in width. At the time of the incident, the Panama-flagged vessel was at the Port of San Antonio.

The "MSC LAUREN," laden with Chinese cargo, is deployed on the AES (ANDES EXPRESS SERVICE) route. In November, it called at ports including Shanghai, Xiamen, Shekou, Hong Kong, and Ningbo, involving slot-sharing among four shipping lines: HAPAG-LLOYD, HMM, MSC, and ONE.