Indonesia reported a new cluster of 42 coronavirus infections among the medical workers who treated the 13 ship crew of bulk carrier Hilma Bulker (IMO 9747041) who were suffering from Covid-19. Authorities said that they were tracing dozens of others,. About 140 other medical workers came into close contact with the crew, all from the Philippines, who tested positive for Covid-19 after docking in Central Java on April 25th. The vessel had come from Kandla.
Genome sequencing showed the crew had the B.1617.2 variant, first identified in India. One of the crew members was reported to have died.
The province’s governor, Ganjar Pranowo, that all other crew members of the Hilma Bulker had self-quarantined on the ship, and 49 Indonesian officials who oversaw the unloading of the ship had all tested negative for the virus.
The vessel had delivered refined sugar from India. It left Indonesia this month, bound for Manila, Philippines. 2017-built, Panama-flagged, 21,530 gt Hilma Bulker is owned by Forever Shipping SA care of Dorian LPG Management Corp of Athens, Greece. It is managed by Lauritzen Bulkers As of Hellerup, Denmark. ISM manager is Misuga HK Ltd of Hong Kong, China. It is entered with Japan Club (Kobe Office In Charge) on behalf of Forever Shipping SA