Oceanwide Expeditions

01/06/2026

Oceanwide Expeditions can confirm that the planned deep cleaning and disinfection of m/v Hondius has been completed in Rotterdam. On 29 May, the vessel was assessed and was cleared on 30 May by Dutch health authority (GGD) officials to return to full operations. The vessel will now undergo an annual survey and scheduled maintenance in Rotterdam, before her planned departure to Longyearbyen on 6 June.

Prior to the operation, Oceanwide Expeditions worked closely with public health authorities, maritime regulators, port stakeholders, and specialist contractors to establish a controlled treatment and clearance plan for the vessel. The operation required intensive coordination between multiple parties to ensure the work could be carried out safely, efficiently, and in accordance with all applicable requirements.

The disinfection process was carried out by a team of 13 biosecurity experts provided by EWS Group, a specialist in biosecurity, gas measurement, fumigation, and critical safety operations. Over several days, all 8 decks of m/v Hondius were systematically treated following an initial inspection and assessment of the required treatment. As part of this assessment, the vessel was declared rodent-free by qualified third-party professionals.

Please read our latest press update:

Oceanwide Expeditions can confirm that the planned deep cleaning and disinfection of m/v Hondius has been completed in Rotterdam.

26/05/2026

The planned departure of m/v Hondius from the port of Rotterdam to Vlissingen has been delayed following advice from GGD Rotterdam for additional cleaning procedures.

The remaining crew members from the original voyage were escorted to quarantine facilities on Saturday evening. Captain Jan Dobrogowski was transported to Poland via specialized transport. Where appropriate, Dutch crew members have returned to their homes for home quarantine as per established protocols.

GGD Rotterdam, in cooperation with Oceanwide Expeditions, wants to ensure that the vessel is ready to be safely returned to service. Based on their inspection findings, GGD has advised additional cleaning. Following completion of this work, GGD will conduct a final inspection before the vessel can proceed with departure.

We will communicate the expected timeline for these procedures as soon as this becomes clear.

At this stage, all voyages from 13 June onwards will proceed as scheduled. No further disruption to the sailing schedule of m/v Hondius is expected.

Please read our latest press release in full:
https://bit.ly/4vcwAAN

19/05/2026

"Over the past weeks, Oceanwide Expeditions has faced one of the most difficult situations in our company’s history.

First and foremost, this was and remains a human tragedy. Three individuals lost their lives. Several others became seriously ill after contracting the virus, with some requiring urgent medical intervention and evacuation under extremely challenging circumstances. At the time of writing, several affected individuals remain hospitalized, including some still in critical condition, while many guests and crew members remain under quarantine and medical monitoring.

Beyond those directly affected, the situation has weighed heavily on guests, crew members, expedition staff, families, and friends. Throughout this entire period, our thoughts have remained with them.

From the beginning, our priority was to support those affected, work closely with medical authorities and experts, and manage the situation responsibly and calmly through three constant priorities: medical response, operational coordination, and transparent communication."

Please read the full statement of our CEO, Rémi Bouysset - https://ow.ly/C41H50Z1LY5

18/05/2026

Oceanwide Expeditions announces that m/v Hondius has safely arrived and docked in the port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The vessel arrived at 11:00 hrs this morning. No symptomatic individuals are present on board or among the disembarked crew. 20 crew members and 2 RIVM medical staff have disembarked and are now housed in a specialized quarantine facility. 5 crew members remain on board. These individuals will disembark the vessel at a later stage in coordination with strict cleaning and quarantine protocols.

Oceanwide Expeditions has selected EWS Group to perform an extended cleaning and disinfection of the vessel. EWS Group has extensive experience in ship disinfection, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cleaning process is estimated to take 3 to 4 days, subject to the findings of today's inspection. EWS Group has confirmed that, following the completed cleaning and disinfection, the vessel is safe again for operations. In close consultation with RIVM, the exact details of the cleaning plan are being finalized. We will provide further updates on the process, steps, progress, and outcomes as they become available.

Oceanwide Expeditions today informed passengers of the cancellation of voyages HDS02-26 (29 May - 5 June) and HDS03-26 (5 June - 13 June) to allow for this in-depth cleaning process to be completed. This decision was taken on 18 May. All affected guests and partners have been informed directly, including rebooking options and additional details.

All voyages from 13 June onwards will proceed as scheduled. No further disruption is expected. Guests scheduled on HDS04-26 (13 - 20 June) have been informed that their voyage will proceed as planned. Following the completion of cleaning, inspections, and scheduled audits, m/v Hondius will resume full operations on 13 June, departing from Longyearbyen, Svalbard. A broader market communication will follow later this week.

Please read our latest press release in full: https://ow.ly/Ymqq50Z1e5Y

17/05/2026

Oceanwide Expeditions continues to monitor the transit of m/v Hondius to Rotterdam. No symptomatic individuals are present on board.

The vessel remains on course and is scheduled to arrive in the Port of Rotterdam tomorrow, 18 May.

Oceanwide Expeditions has selected EWS Group to carry out the cleaning and disinfection of the vessel. In close consultation with RIVM, the cleaning plan is being finalized and will commence upon arrival on Monday 18 May. Once agreement has been reached with all relevant parties, we will share further details covering the process, steps, progress and outcomes.

The remaining crew and medical staff on board m/v Hondius will disembark in a staggered approach upon arrival in Rotterdam, in close coordination with the cleaning process. Please refer to the RIVM for more information regarding quarantine measures (https://ow.ly/WCb450Z0HO1).

Please read our latest press release in full: https://ow.ly/zifY50Z0HO0

13/05/2026

Oceanwide Expeditions continues to monitor the progress of m/v Hondius during her transit to Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

A total of 27 individuals remain on board, 25 crew and 2 medical staff, provided by RIVM. None of these individuals is displaying symptoms associated with hantavirus. The two medical staff on board are performing medical monitoring throughout the remainder of the voyage.

The vessel is expected to arrive in Rotterdam on Monday, 18 May. Upon arrival, a staggered process of disembarking the remaining crew members will begin. All individuals will follow quarantine procedures outlined by the Dutch authorities and RIVM. Please refer to the RIVM for more information regarding quarantine measures (https://ow.ly/rz2j50YZ3ew).

Upon arrival, m/v Hondius will undergo a thorough cleaning and disinfection process. The exact details of this are being discussed with the GGD Rotterdam, RIVM, and local authorities.

Please read our latest press update: https://ow.ly/k02Z50YZ3ex

12/05/2026

Oceanwide Expeditions continues to monitor the progress of m/v Hondius during her transit to Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

A total of 27 individuals remain on board, 25 crew and 2 medical staff provided by the RIVM. None of these individuals is displaying symptoms associated with hantavirus. The two medical staff will continue to monitor throughout the remainder of the voyage.

The vessel is expected to arrive in Rotterdam on either Sunday, 17, or Monday, 18 May. Upon arrival, all crew will disembark and follow quarantine procedures outlined by the Dutch authorities and RIVM. Please refer to the RIVM for more information regarding quarantine measures (https://ow.ly/9O9950YYkEt).

Following disembarkation, m/v Hondius will undergo a thorough cleaning and disinfection process. The specific protocols are currently being finalized in close consultation with RIVM and GGD Rotterdam.

Further information on the arrival of m/v Hondius in Rotterdam, and a media registration process for the Port of Rotterdam will be provided in the coming days. Updates will be shared on this page. Arrangements are currently being coordinated with all relevant parties.

Please read our latest press update in full: https://ow.ly/9Hhp50YYkEs

11/05/2026

Oceanwide Expeditions is pleased to share that the successful disembarkation of guests and a limited number of crew has been completed in Granadilla, the Canary Islands. At 19:00 hrs local time, m/v Hondius departed Granadilla and is now underway towards Rotterdam, the Netherlands. It is expected to take m/v Hondius 6 days to sail to Rotterdam. A provisional arrival date is the evening of Sunday, 17 May 2026.

The total number of individuals repatriated to their home countries and the Netherlands is 122 (35 crew, 87 guests).

Oceanwide Expeditions would like to thank the local authorities in the Canary Islands for their support in facilitating this transfer, led, overseen, and facilitated by the WHO and international governments. This process, as well as earlier stages of this operation, would not have been possible without the support of Dutch authorities and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We would also like to extend our thanks to the people of the Canary Islands for their contributions to this joint humanitarian effort, as well as to the Spanish Government for its swift preparations and significant logistical support.

The vessel has 25 crew members on board. In addition, 2 medical professionals accompany the ship, led by the RIVM, to conduct ongoing medical monitoring during the voyage. This brings the total of individuals currently aboard m/v Hondius to 27.

We can confirm that m/v Hondius will undergo sanitation upon arrival. Details regarding vessel cleaning protocols are still being determined in consultation with RIVM, WHO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Rotterdam Port Health Authority, and other relevant bodies.

Please read our latest press update in full: https://ow.ly/J5kW50YXPF5

11/05/2026

11 May 2026: Message from Jan Dobrogowski, Captain of m/v Hondius.

10/05/2026

Oceanwide Expeditions continues to work with relevant authorities to bring the medical situation on board m/v Hondius to a conclusion.

The vessel arrived at the port of Granadilla, Tenerife, on Sunday, 10 May, at 06:24 AM local time. Led by local authorities, the WHO, and select international governments, the disembarkation of all guests and a limited number of crew members is now underway. This is being performed by launch boats and, if necessary, the Zodiac craft of m/v Hondius. Upon disembarkation, all individuals will be transferred immediately to waiting aircraft. The sequence of disembarkation is being coordinated with the arrival of repatriation flights.

Oceanwide Expeditions is not involved in the planning and facilitation of guest screening and repatriation. As outlined by the WHO, in partnership with several international organizations and governments, guests will be transported by air to their respective countries, where they will enter quarantine procedures. Respective national authorities determine these procedures. No quarantine of non-Spanish nationals will take place in Spain.

For all inquiries relating to shore processes, we refer to the WHO.

After all guests and limited crew have disembarked, m/v Hondius will bunker and take on necessary supplies at Santa Cruz, Tenerife. Following this, the vessel will transit to the port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands with the remaining crew members aboard. Further details regarding the vessel's arrival in Rotterdam will be provided when available. The expected sailing time to Rotterdam is around 5 days.

Read our latest press update in full: https://ow.ly/if0F50YXc1s