The expedition ship Hondius, which earlier had a fatal hantavirus outbreak, was declared virus-free after comprehensive cleaning and inspection and has been cleared to resume operations, Dutch operator Oceanwide Expeditions said on May 31. The company expects to restart scheduled sailings on June 13; the next voyage will depart Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, and transit islands in the northern archipelago.

2026-05-31

The expedition ship Hondius, which earlier had a fatal hantavirus outbreak, was declared virus-free after comprehensive cleaning and inspection and has been cleared to resume operations, Dutch operator Oceanwide Expeditions said on May 31. The company expects to restart scheduled sailings on June 13; the next voyage will depart Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, and transit islands in the northern archipelago.