Ambassador Cruises Ambition: Ship from Portsmouth has to stay in Antwerp after Belgian river oil spill
A cruise ship from Portsmouth was stranded in European city after an oil spill closed a waterway.
Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition had just left Antwerp when she was told to return, after Belgium port authorities revealed a “significant oil spill involving other vessels on the Schelde River”, which saw it closed.
Ambition left Portsmouth on Monday on a six-night Escape to Belgium, France & Holland cruise and is due to return to Portsmouth on Sunday.
A statement from the company said: “The vessel safely manoeuvred back to berth with the support of local tugs. Ambition has not been directly affected by the spilled oil and was required to remain in port until local authorities permit vessel movements to resume. The safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew is always our highest priority, and we thank our Captain and crew for their professionalism in managing the situation. Guests were informed promptly.”
Ambition finally left Antwerp at 4pm on Friday and the company has said it will be making a stop in Le Havre, arriving at midday today and leaving at 9.30pm, before returning to Portsmouth. It added: “We apologise for the disruption to our guests’ travel plans and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.”