470 Indians will arrive at Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), Goa, onboard the Norwegian cruise liner, Norwegian Escape, making the port the first Indian one to host the cruise liner.
The ship is carrying seafarers, who’d been stranded in various European ports. Reports are that the ship has crossed the Suez Canal and is en route to Goa, India. It is expected to be in Goa by Sunday night.
According to Indian Times, the cruise vessel will continue its journey to visit Mumbai, where it will lead the disembarkation process of other Indian crewmembers.
After the arrival, the seafarers will be tested and then they’ll be sent to the ship again to wait for the results. If tested negatively for the COVID-19, they will be quarantined in their homes.
“The cruise liner was supposed to go directly to Mumbai and the company wasn’t agreeing to bring the seafarers directly to Goa” reported P.S Reddy, ports secretary for stranded seafarers. It was the constant push by the port authorities that persuaded the cruise line to call on MPT first before Mumbai.
Recently, to assist seafarers during these challenging times, the Indian Directorate General of Shipping established rules to make sure that trade will resume.
