Accessibility.SkipToMainContent
International

MSC to donate ferry as hospital ship to combat Italy's coronavirus crisis

30 March 2020

Italy's Aponte family, owners of the MSC group and the Grand Navi Veloci ferry operator, will donate a ferry for use as a hospital ship to aid the country which is beleaguered by coronavirus.

The ship will aid people suffering from coronavirus, those placed in quarantine following positive tests and patients suffering from other illness to free up beds in hospitals battling the epidemic.

It is though that the 2,920-passenger ship Superba, its sister ship Suprema, or the 2,200-passenger ship Splendid could be converted.

Ropax vessels provide many cabins for use, and large garage spaces to accommodate boxes containing medical equipment and/or further modular cabins.

MSC will finance refurbishment of the ferry to ensure changes to the ventilation system to avoid all possible contamination from infectious patients.


Tags

More articles

Featured
Health and safety

Nautilus FAQs on Covid-19 Coronavirus

  • Telegraph
  • 17 March 2021
International

Surge in unpaid wages as pandemic spreads

There has been a spike in unscrupulous operators withholding wages to seafarers since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, according to UK-based charity Human Rights at Sea (HRAS).

  • News
  • 30 March 2020
International

Union in cruiseship taskforce assessing industry impact from pandemic

Members of the ITF Cruise Ship Task Force – including Nautilus International – have been closely following the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the cruise industry.

  • News
  • 27 March 2020
Members at work

Nautilus backs calls to save oil and gas jobs during Covid-19 pandemic

Nautilus backs calls to save oil and gas jobs during Covid-19 pandemic

  • News
  • 27 March 2020
Welfare

Nautilus emergency helpline spike in calls due to members' coronavirus concerns

The Nautilus 24/7 emergency helpline service has seen a rapid increase in the number of calls coming into the helpline in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

  • News
  • 27 March 2020
Campaigning

Help fight for transport workers' rights by sharing ETF campaign graphics

The European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) has issued a set of Covid-19 graphics that seafarers and unions can use to help campaign for the rights of supply chain workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

  • News
  • 27 March 2020
Health and safety

ITF calls for affiliates to share best practices in supporting seafarers during Covid-19 pandemic

Seafarer unions globally have been asked to share their government's best practices on dealing with the Covid-19 global health emergency.

  • News
  • 23 March 2020

Become a Nautilus member today