Havana to be Fred. Olsen's Operations Base

Fred. Olsen Cruise Line has decided to position itself at the port of Havana as its main operations base in the region, starting from the 2021/22 season, reports the official Cuban newspaper “Granma.” This will not only provide British tourists – the main clients of the Norwegian company – the opportunity to discover and enjoy the charms of the Cuban capital, but Fred. Olsen also expresses gratitude for the welcome given by the Cuban government in March 2020, when the ship “Braemar” docked at the port of El Mariel with five confirmed cases of coronavirus and evacuated 682 passengers and 381 crew members to the United Kingdom, amid the pandemic crisis.

Fred. Olsen's interest in Cuba is not new. One of the catamarans from Fred. Olsen Express made a stop in Havana in 2000, on its positioning voyage from Australia via the Panama Canal. It aimed to impress the Cuban regime with the benefits of a high-speed service between Havana and Miami, but there were no advancements at that time. However, although it does not seem viable in the short term, the idea remains latent.

Photo: Manfred (shipspotting.com)