Press update | m/v Hondius: 11 May 2026, 21:30 hrs CET | News

11 May 2026, 21:30 hrs CET

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.

All guests and a limited number of crew members have now been transferred from m/v Hondius to waiting aircraft. 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.

Before the final transfers of guests and crew, this morning, m/v Hondius bunkered in Granadilla, and took on necessary supplies ahead of her transit to Rotterdam, the Netherlands. 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. The body of the German guest who passed away on board on 2 May remains with m/v Hondius. This individual is not counted in the total number. Oceanwide Expeditions will coordinate with relevant authorities to ensure repatriation upon arrival in the Netherlands.

Current nationalities on board m/v Hondius

Philippines	17
Netherlands	4*
Ukraine	4
Russia	1
Poland	1
Total	27

*this number includes 2 medical professionals provided by the RIVM.

At this stage, the exact procedures regarding our arrival in Rotterdam remain under discussion. 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. In addition, all remaining crew on board will comply with the medical screening and quarantine conditions in place by the Dutch authorities. Please refer to the RIVM for more information regarding quarantine measures (https://www.rivm.nl/en).

Oceanwide Expeditions is in consultation with RIVM and WHO to determine whether any additional safety procedures are necessary for future expeditions. For more information about our current health and safety protocols, please see: https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/page/health-and-safety-protocol

As communicated yesterday, all guests' luggage remains on board. We are in direct contact with all guests, also regarding the return of their luggage upon the arrival of m/v Hondius in Rotterdam.

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

For all other matters, we refer to our previous press updates. The unchanged list of previous official communications is as follows:

10 May 2026, 12:40 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/press/press-update-m-v-hondius-10-may-2026-12-40-hrs-cet

9 May 2026, 23:00 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/press/press-update-m-v-hondius-9-may-2026-23-00-hrs-cet

9 May 2026, 13:30 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/press/press-update-m-v-hondius-9-may-2026-13-30-hrs-cet

8 May 2026, 19:00 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/press/press-update-m-v-hondius-8-may-2026-19-00-hrs-cet

7 May 2026, 17:15 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/press/press-update-m-v-hondius-7-may-2026-17-15-hrs-cet