Oceanwide Expeditions announced that the disembarkation of passengers and a limited number of crew members at the Port of Granadilla, in the Canary Islands, was completed successfully. At 7:00 p.m. local time, the MV Hondius set sail and is now heading towards the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The voyage is estimated to last six days, so the expected arrival date is the afternoon of Sunday, May 17, 2026.
All passengers and a limited number of crew members have already been transferred from the vessel to the waiting aircraft. The total number of people repatriated to their countries of origin and to the Netherlands is 122 (35 crew members and 87 passengers).
Oceanwide Expeditions thanked the local authorities of the Canary Islands for their support in facilitating this transfer, which was led, supervised, and facilitated by the WHO and international governments.
“This process, as well as the previous phases of this operation, would not have been possible without the support of the Dutch authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. Likewise, we thank the people of the Canary Islands for their contribution to this joint humanitarian effort, as well as the Spanish government for its rapid preparation and significant logistical support,” the tour operator communicated.
Before the final disembarkation of passengers and crew, in the morning the Hondius refueled in Granadilla and took on the necessary supplies for its voyage to Rotterdam.
The vessel has 25 crew members on board plus two medical professionals, led by the Dutch Institute for Public Health (RIVM), who accompany the ship to provide continuous medical monitoring during the crossing.
The body of the German passenger who died on board on May 2 remains on the Hondius, as does all the luggage of the passengers that the ship was carrying at the time the emergency broke out.
The current nationalities on board the MV Hondius are 17 Filipinos, four Dutch, an equal number of Ukrainians, one Russian, and one Polish.
“The exact procedures for our arrival in Rotterdam are still under discussion. We confirm that the vessel Hondius will undergo disinfection upon its arrival. Details regarding the vessel’s cleaning protocols are being defined in consultation with the RIVM, the WHO, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Port Health Authority of Rotterdam, and other relevant bodies,” Oceanwide Expeditions also stated.
Furthermore, it was reported that all remaining crew on board will comply with the medical control and quarantine conditions established by the Dutch authorities and that they are already in contact with clients regarding the return of their luggage upon the vessel’s arrival at the Port of Rotterdam.
