No early resurgence in cruise industry
Over 400 idle ships present a stark reminder of the frailty of a once-thriving sector
A CORRESPONDENT sent me a thoroughly researched but extremely distressing document. Compiled by retired harbour master Captain Mike Pryce from New Zealand, this document – a true magnum opus – shows the location of every cruise ship. A line-count reveals about 440 ships, some newbuildings, but about 99 percent of the rest are berthed or anchored in lay-up.
Some ships are in “warm lay-up” which means that they carry only essential crewmembers and can get under way in a relatively short time, especially if at anchor and may have to change anchorage or put to sea in the face of heavy weather. Some leave harbour occasionally to keep their machinery operating, to make freshwater or to change their lay-up position. Those at anchor need to enter port occasionally to refuel or to take on stores.
Those in “cold lay-up” are alongside with their accommodation secured and their machinery probably “moth-balled” to prevent corrosion. A small team may be posted on board to tend mooring lines and to keep a watch on the vessel. Some ships on the list are recent arrivals in scrapyards, and local ship spotters will recognise the name Astor that left the Thames about ten days ago, bound for Turkey, and is recorded on Captain Pryce’s list as “Beached Aliaga for demolition.”
Safmarine built her in Germany in 1986 as a slightly longer replacement for an earlier vessel of the same name that was unsuitable for the services envisaged by the company. Although her design had been modified, Astor (2) was not a success either, and she was sold within two years of her entry to service. Her new owner retained her name. However, she lasted for 34 years, testimony to her design, the quality of her construction, and the work of those who maintained her over the years.
Also on the list of idle cruise ships is MSC Orchestra in which thousands
of South Africans took coastal cruises between November last year and the Covid-19 outbreak in March.
Currently anchored off Durban, she is unlikely to resume cruising for a while, a similar sorry tale applying to virtually all cruise ships. Spikes in virus infection rates in countries from which substantial numbers of cruise passengers normally come will counter any notion of an early resumption of cruising.
Astronomical are the losses to the cruise industry and to its ancillary services such as tour operators, baggage handlers and chandlers in ports of call. Even ice cream vendors at harbour gates will miss dozens of sales on a hot summer’s day.
As banks call in unrequited loans on ships and with no end to the crisis in sight, more ships will follow in the wake of Astor (2). Even after it has been
deemed safe for cruising to resume, it will take time for the ships to return to service as their machinery will need to be overhauled, their accommodation will need to be prepared and cleaned thoroughly, and each vessel will need to undergo strict surveys covering every aspect of her operation from her overall seaworthiness to the cleanliness of her galley.
Public perception of the cruise industry has shifted. In the early days of the virus, images of people “imprisoned” on cruise ships while sitting out periods of quarantine have dampened enthusiasm for taking “the voyage of a lifetime”. (Two weeks in a luxury suite with a private deck space – even aboard a ship in port - is quite appealing to me!) When those ships resume service, cruise operators will need to do much to entice folks back to sea.
Although attractive fly-cruise pack
ages and special rates may help, it will take years for the companies to recoup their losses.
Added to the nasties awaiting a resurgent cruise sector are surcharges on insurance premiums on cruise ships as underwriters have witnessed the huge claims resulting from a ship being unable to complete her voyage because of illness on board. Imagine the costs of flying thousands of passengers home after a ship is detained under those circumstances. Of course the expense will be passed to passengers but the added cost may tip the scales against folks choosing to go cruising.
Some believe that the virus has dealt a potentially lethal blow to the ultra-large cruise ship, and that folks will seek out smaller ships on specialised voyages.
The latter concept was the success
ful formula that kept the cargo- passenger ship St Helena operating with a nearly full passenger complement on most voyages to the island of her name.
Indeed, say some, the voyage was the holiday and the island was the add-on.
For now, though, Captain Pryce’s list of idle ships is a stark reminder of the frailty of a once-thriving industry that, so suddenly and so unpredictably, collapsed, casting many thousands of crewmembers, service providers and even entertainers on the beach with little hope of a swift return to their jobs.
• Port Pourri will be back to its Wednesday slot next week.