Ports deny entry to vessels from Italy as virus spread fears accelerate

Shipowners face mounting hurdles as vessels docking in Italy are being denied access to ports worldwide in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Market sources told TradeWinds that leading charterers, including oil major BP, have started to shy away from vessels that call in Italy, with estimates that up to 20 ports have now closed their doors.

Domestic shipowner association Assarmatori president Stefano Messina said in an open letter that several countries “have closed, and are still trying to close, their ports to ships coming from Italy”.