Jalesh Cruise operated MV Karnika discontinues operations

Coronavirus pandemic has impacted several businesses, and tourism is one of the sectors which has seen a massive hit in these few months. Service providers have suffered from no tourists or clients, and eventually, some of them have stopped operations with an aim to curb losses. 

Amidst the ongoing pandemic, owners of MV Karnika,  released a statement, on October 9, 2020, stating that the firm was no longer in a position to resume operations. This decision was taken as the ports across the country have not been given the nod to resume the operations of cruise ships due to the ongoing COVID19 lockdown. The report released by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the sector has been devastated, and over 120 million jobs are at risk, with economic damage likely to exceed over $1 trillion. The report also draws on UNWTO data to quantify the devastating impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on global tourism.

Adding more to their statement, the firm said that operations were at standstill since March 2020. The company has mounting debts in outstanding, and the creditors have arrested the ship through the Admiralty Court. An appeal has been made to the High Court and the Port Trust with an aim to seek assistance to provide fuel, power and basic supplies to the 60 crew members who are on the ship. However, no update has been received yet. 

Currently, the crew on the ship are living in poor conditions with no fuel, power or other facilities. The company is focused on getting the crew members signed off and relieved so that they can go home, as soon as the legal formalities are completed.

Addressing the same, the senior management commented, “We would like to reassure the crew and their families that we have not forgotten about them, hence, have put the right wheels in motion. We have asked for urgent indulgence with the relevant authorities and are waiting for their feedback. In addition, we assure our crew members that they will receive their salaries as soon as the funds are received. The main priority is to reunite the crew with their families.”

The ship was built in 1990 as Crown Princess and was sold to Zen Cruises in 2018. It was delivered to Jalesh Cruises on March 12, 2019, after which it was renovated for six weeks, and names Karnika on April 19, 2019. The naming ceremony was held in Mumbai at Princess Dock. MV Karnika has been in Mumbai since March 12, 2020, and has been in-operational ever since.