Holland America Line said Saturday that authorities in Panama have given
the Zaandam permission to transit through the Panama Canal
on its way to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.
However, Port Everglades said in a statement on Sunday, “Holland America Line has not yet received official approval
to transit the Panama Canal, nor to enter Port Everglades. Should Holland
America receive approval to transit the Panama Canal, it would take about three
days for the ship to reach South Florida. Holland America must then submit a
plan prior to arrival that addresses a long list of Unified Command
requirements for entry into a port.”
Four passengers on the ship have died, Holland America Line
said on Friday, and at least 53 guests and 85 crew members have reported to the
Zaandam’s medical center with influenza-like symptoms. At least two have tested
positive for Covid-19.
The Panama Canal Authority said on Saturday night that it
was supporting efforts for an “expedited return home” for the passengers and
crew members on the Zaandam. No one on the Zaandam has left the ship since
March 14. The South America voyage began on March 7 with a departure from
Argentina.
The ship on Saturday was anchored outside Panama Canal
waters. The Panama Maritime Authority had previously approved an operation enabling
healthy passengers to transfer to the Rotterdam.
No passengers nor crew members will be allowed to disembark in
Panama.
“The Panama Canal is preparing to facilitate the transit of
the Zaandam through the waterway, after receiving authorization from Panama's
Ministry of Health,” the canal authority said in a statement on Saturday.
Allowing the Zaandam through the canal will shave two days
off its journey to Fort Lauderdale, the authority said. However, there is no
concrete plan for the ship to disembark in Fort Lauderdale. The Rotterdam’s
final destination has not been revealed but that ship also has received permission to transit the Panama Canal, Holland America said.
Zaandam guests are quarantined in their staterooms and have
been given face masks to wear.
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This report was updated Sunday with a statement from Port Everglades saying that Holland America Line had not received final approval to transit the Panama Canal.