Press update | m/v Hondius: 20 June 2026, 17:00 hrs CET | News

20 June 2026, 17:00 hrs CET

Oceanwide Expeditions is pleased to announce that on Thursday, 18 June 2026, all remaining crew members of m/v Hondius who quarantined in the Netherlands after disembarking the vessel following its arrival in Rotterdam on 18 May, and who arrived in the Netherlands following earlier disembarkation in Tenerife on 11 May have completed their quarantine period and are returning to their home countries. No health complaints or further cases of hantavirus have been reported among these individuals. Tests performed at the beginning of this week have returned negative results.

We want to thank all crew members who were aboard m/v Hondius during the events related to the recent hantavirus outbreak on the vessel for their professionalism, resilience, and unwavering support of our guests during a challenging and highly complex situation. Following their disembarkation in Tenerife and Rotterdam, all crew members who quarantined in the Netherlands did so away from family members and loved ones; we wish to highlight the significant burden they have carried both during and after recent events. We will continue to support all individuals affected by events aboard m/v Hondius. Throughout the quarantine process, the GGD (Dutch Public Health Authorities) maintained daily contact with all involved, monitored health and providing support.

"On behalf of the entire Oceanwide Expeditions team, I want to thank all crew members for their tremendous efforts in recent weeks. They have distinguished themselves during exceptionally difficult and highly unusual circumstances, finding themselves in the center of a media storm, and with the well-being of our guests and their fellow team members in their hands. Under the exceptional leadership of Captain Jan Dobrogowski, they remained calm, professional, and highly coordinated when the eyes of the world were upon them, and when people needed them most." - Rémi Bouysset, CEO, Oceanwide Expeditions

Oceanwide Expeditions also wishes to thank the GGD, the Rotterdam Port Authority, and the RIVM (Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) for their cooperation and support in ensuring the safe return of the vessel and its crew. In addition, the successful evacuation of guests and a limited number of crew in Tenerife and prior, including those requiring urgent medical care, would not have been possible without the support of an international coalition comprising the governments of those aboard, the WHO, RIVM, and aviation and maritime partners and specialists. Oceanwide Expeditions thanks all involved for their contributions throughout the entire process.

Following the completion of an in-depth cleaning and disinfection process undertaken by EWS Group in Rotterdam, m/v Hondius was cleared by Dutch Health Authorities to return to service on 30 May. The vessel is currently operating in the Arctic as scheduled with an entirely new crew aboard.

All media inquiries should be directed to: Mrs. Kiki Hirschfeldt: [email protected]

For all other matters, we refer to our previous press updates.

1 June 2026, 13:00 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/blog/press-update-1-june-2026-13-00-hrs-cet

26 May 2026, 16:30 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/press/press-update-m-v-hondius-26-may-2026-16-00-hrs-cet

18 May 2026, 15:45 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/blog/press-update-m-v-hondius-18-may-2026-18-30-hrs-cet

17 May 2026, 13:40 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/press/press-update-m-v-hondius-17-may-2026-14-00-hrs-cet

13 May 2026, 18:15 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/press/press-update-m-v-hondius-13-may-2026-18-15-hrs-cet