Westerdam’s owner thanks Prime Minister Hun Sen for allowing his vessel to dock in Cambodia amidst COVID -19 scare

Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America line, the owner of the MS Westerdam with Prime Minister Hun Sen at the peace Palace Tuesday.

Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America line, the owner of the MS Westerdam with Prime Minister Hun Sen at the peace Palace Tuesday. Fresh News

The President of Holland America Line, Orlando Ashford, made a courtesy call on Prime Minister Hun Sen to express his gratitude for the humanitarian gesture in allowing the MS Westerdam, to dock in Sihanoukville port.

According to Eang Sophalleth, personal assistant to the premier, Mr Ashford expressed his deep appreciations to the Prime Minister and to the Cambodian people and authorities for the warm welcome and hospitality without discrimination extended to the vessel and its passengers and crew.

It was learned that MS Westerdam was running low on food supplies and other essentials when it was turned away from its normal port of calls for fear of being contaminated with the dreaded COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

Mr Hun Sen told Orlando that Cambodia is a responsible nation as member of the international community.

“The Kingdom continues to work with partner organisations and the international community to jointly address the global challenge; to eliminate the disease of fear and prejudice; to promote moral values, virtue, and the right to life as well as the well-being of humans throughout the world,” he said.

He stressed he would allow the Westerdam to dock even faster if a case of coronavirus was found on the cruise ship.

The premier highly commended the good gesture of Holland America Line for taking care of the passengers and ensure they all return home safe amid the coronavirus outbreak.