Lyla Lindsey
Australia has a rich history of cruise ships docking at its ports, with the country's vast coastline providing an attractive prospect for tourists. However, in 2020, the Australian government banned all cruise ships from docking in the country in a bid to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. This ban was not without exceptions, and some ships were allowed to dock under 'strict conditions. More recently, in 2023, a cruise ship was denied permission to dock in several Australian ports due to the discovery of a harmful fungus on its hull.
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What You'll Learn
Cruise ships banned from docking in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian government banned all cruise ships from docking in the country to prevent the spread of the virus. This decision was made in the wake of the Ruby Princess incident, where the New South Wales government allowed the cruise ship to dock in Sydney despite it being considered a high risk, with 48 passengers on board infected with COVID-19. As a result of this decision, over 1,700 passengers on the MSC Magnifica cruise ship were banned from disembarking in Western Australia after more than 250 people on board reported respiratory illnesses.
The ban on cruise ships docking in Australia sparked controversy, with some critics arguing that it was "absurd" and that the government was not doing enough to protect its citizens. In response to the criticism, the Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt, emphasized that the four cruise ships that were granted permission to dock were arriving under strict conditions and that state health authorities had processes in place to handle suspected COVID-19 cases. All passengers on these ships were required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
Despite the ban, there were exceptions made for certain vessels. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a 30-day ban on foreign cruise vessels docking in Australia, but granted exemptions to four ships that were already en route to the country, including the Ruby Princess. These ships were allowed to dock in various ports across Australia, such as Fremantle and Darwin, under the condition that all passengers complied with self-isolation requirements.
The handling of the Ruby Princess incident highlighted the challenges faced by governments in balancing public health concerns with the need to support the cruise industry and tourism sector. The decision to ban cruise ships from docking in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic was a difficult one, made with the intention of protecting the health and safety of Australian citizens and preventing the further spread of the virus.
Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the cruise industry and led to strict measures being implemented to control the spread of the virus. The Australian government's decision to ban cruise ships from docking was one of many responses to the pandemic, reflecting the global efforts to navigate this unprecedented health crisis.
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Exemptions to the ban
In March 2020, the Australian government banned all cruise ships from docking in the country to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, four cruise ships were exempted from this ban:
- Ruby Princess: This ship was allowed to dock in Sydney Harbour despite criticism from NSW Opposition health spokesman Ryan Park, who branded the situation "absurd". Four people from the ship had tested positive for COVID-19, and 2,647 passengers were allowed to disembark, sparking fears of community spread.
- A second ship: Arrived in Port Fremantle-Perth on Saturday.
- A third ship: Docked in Darwin, NT.
- A fourth ship: No details were provided about this ship.
These exemptions were made by the Australian government for vessels that were already on their way to Australia when the 30-day ban was announced. Strict conditions were imposed, including a 14-day self-isolation requirement for all passengers and crew. State health authorities were responsible for dealing with suspected COVID-19 cases.
In another instance, a cruise ship was not allowed to dock in several Australian ports due to the discovery of a harmful fungus in its hull. The "Viking Orion" was denied permission to dock and clean the ship in Christchurch, Dunedin, and Hobart before proceeding to Adelaide.
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Ships with infected passengers allowed to dock
In March 2020, the Australian government banned all cruise ships from docking in the country to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, in April 2020, four cruise ships were given special permission to dock despite the ban. One of these ships, the Greg Mortimer, was a virus-stricken vessel with over 100 infected people on board. The ship was allowed to dock in Montevideo, and the passengers were flown home.
In March 2020, the MSC Magnifica cruise ship, carrying over 1,700 passengers, was banned from docking in Western Australia after more than 250 people on board reported respiratory illnesses. The vessel was due to dock in Fremantle, but the state's premier, Mark McGowan, blocked it from disembarking, prioritizing the protection of West Australians.
In November 2022, the Majestic Princess cruise ship docked in Sydney with around 800 COVID-positive cases on board. Passengers who tested negative were allowed to disembark, and positive cases who elected not to stay on board for the next cruise were also permitted to disembark. They were kept separate from the non-COVID passengers and assisted in finding private transportation.
In some instances, cruise ships with infected passengers have been denied permission to dock in Australia. For example, the Viking Orion was not allowed to dock in several Australian ports in 2023 due to the discovery of a harmful fungus in the hull of the ship. The ship was required to undergo a thorough cleaning to remove the biofouling and prevent the transfer of harmful marine organisms.
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Ships denied entry due to harmful organisms
In March 2020, the Australian government banned all cruise ships from docking in the country to prevent the spread of COVID-19. More than 1,700 passengers were on board the MSC Magnifica cruise ship, which was banned from disembarking in Western Australia after over 250 people on board reported a respiratory illness. The previous week, the Ruby Princess was allowed to dock in Sydney, and it was later discovered that 48 passengers on board had the virus.
In 2023, the Viking Orion cruise ship was denied entry to Australian and New Zealand ports due to the discovery of biofouling, or marine growth, on its hull. The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) stated that the ship was “required to undergo hull cleaning to remove the biofoul and prevent potentially harmful marine organisms being transported by the vessel." The ship was prevented from docking in Christchurch, Dunedin, Hobart, and Adelaide while the issue was resolved.
Biofouling, or marine growth, on a ship's hull can include microorganisms, plants, algae, or small animals. This buildup of organisms can have negative effects on the ship's performance and fuel efficiency, and it can also facilitate the introduction of invasive species into new environments. To prevent the spread of harmful marine organisms, ships are required to undergo hull cleaning before entering certain waters.
In the case of the Viking Orion, professional divers were hired to clean the ship's hull while it was anchored outside Australian waters. The ship's passengers were offered compensation for the disruption to their voyage.
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Ships requiring permission to dock in Australia
Any ship arriving in Australia must notify the authorities of their impending arrival no later than 96 hours before reaching the port. This is a legal requirement.
In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian government banned all cruise ships from docking in the country. However, four cruise ships were given special permission to dock despite the 30-day ban. The ships were allowed to arrive under "strict conditions", but all passengers were allowed to disembark, sparking fears of community spread.
In 2023, a cruise ship was denied permission to dock in several Australian ports due to the discovery of a harmful fungus in its hull. The ship was ordered to undergo cleaning to remove the biofouling and prevent the transfer of harmful marine organisms.
In addition, private and commercial vessels intending to land in the Ashmore and Cartier Islands require permission from a resident warden. Private vessels are typically permitted to anchor and obtain fresh water, while commercial vessels must possess a Commercial Permit and be under the Australian Marine Safety Authority's survey.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2020, the Australian government banned cruise ships from docking in Australia to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, four cruise ships were given special permission to dock despite the ban. In 2023, a cruise ship was not allowed to dock in Australia due to the discovery of a harmful fungus in its hull.
The Ruby Princess was one of the four ships that docked in Australia during the ban. Despite four people on board testing positive for COVID-19, 2,647 passengers were allowed to disembark at Circular Quay in Sydney. This decision sparked fears that the virus could spread throughout the community.
The Viking Orion was denied permission to dock in Christchurch, Dunedin, and Hobart after a harmful fungus was discovered in its hull. The ship was ordered to undergo cleaning outside Australian waters before entering.
The MSC Magnifica was banned from docking in Fremantle, Western Australia, after more than 250 people on board reported a respiratory illness.
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