PH Ambassador to Norway Meets Hurtigruten Cruises CEO

Philippine Ambassador to Norway Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia (right) and Hurtigruten Cruises Chief Executive Officer Daniel Skjeldam at the Philippine Embassy in Oslo. (Oslo PE photo)

OSLO 18 August 2020 — Philippine Ambassador to Norway Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia received Hurtigruten Cruises Chief Executive Officer Daniel Skjeldam at the Philippine Embassy in Oslo on 14 August 2020 to discuss the issues and concerns relating to the COVID-19 outbreak on board the MS Roald Amundsen.

Mr. Skjeldam briefed the Embassy on the outbreak, the measures being taken by Hurtigruten to ensure the well-being of its crew who are infected by the virus and uplift the morale of the entire crew, most of whom are from the Philippines. The Embassy welcomed the openness of the company, which has been closely coordinating and regularly updating the Embassy on the health and safety of its crew after the outbreak. Mr. Skjeldam also informed the Embassy of the future plans of the company, particularly with regard to the crew. He is hopeful that Hurtigruten will weather the current storm caused by the pandemic in the cruise industry.

The Embassy reassured Mr. Skjeldam that the Philippines will continue to be a source of skilled and professional seafarers and that the government is doing its best to ensure the safety of Filipino seafarers through the Philippine Green Lane Facility. END

For more information, visit https://www.oslope.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinNorway/.