CORONAVIRUS concerns over a ship headed for Newcastle have eased after confirmation that its original captain - rushed to hospital in the Philippines with a respiratory illness - tested negative for COVID-19.
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The Asphalt Transporter, a bulk carrier that carries liquid pitch on regular trips to Newcastle for the Koppers plant at Mayfield, was the centre of an at-sea drama in South East Asia a fortnight ago after leaving Taiwan on March 31.
The on-board difficulties were made public on April 9 when the Russian Embassy in the Philippines posted a report on its official Facebook page thanking the Philippines government for saving the life of the 33-year-old captain.
"Thanks to the swift and decisive actions of the Philippine government we managed to save a life," the post signed by Russia's Department of Foreign Affairs, began.
"Captain Alexander Solodyannikov of the tanker Asphalt Transporter, a Russian national, had an attack of an unknown respiratory syndrome.
"The ship's doctor could not help him and amid the COVID-19 scare no country would allow him to enter to be admitted to a hospital.
"The government of the Philippines responded to the embassy's request very quickly despite the lockdown and the quarantine measures and allowed the Captain to be taken off the ship to a medical centre in Metro Manila.
"Things were not looking good for some time, but now Captain Solodyannikov is safe. On behalf of his family and ourselves we thank our dear friends from the Philippines for helping us save a life!"
The mercy dash and the apparently serious state of the captain made brief news in the Philippines at the time, with one report saying the captain had a fever and coronavirus-like symptoms for four days before before authorities were alerted on April 5. He left the ship on April 7.
The Port of Newcastle on Saturday said the ship was due to dock in Newcastle yesterday afternoon.
This was amended yesterday morning to Tuesday, but Koppers Mayfield manager Nick Moretti said last night it would now arrive on Wednesday.
"The ship's management company has confirmed the original captain tested negative for COVID-19 after leaving the ship," Mr Moretti said.
"The ship's new captain and ship's medical officer are monitoring crew and taking temperature checks. They report that no crew member has Covid-19 symptoms. When the ship docks on April 22, we will follow the Port of Newcastle's strict quarantine protocols. Our staff will not be in contact with any of the ship's crew."
