Discover the Msc-Armonia: Ratings & Maritime News

An electrical fire erupted in the laundry room of the MSC Armonia at Venice's Marghera port on June 10, 2024, at 6:30 a.m. Fortunately, the blaze was swiftly contained and extinguished. The port authorities promptly coordinated the emergency response, deploying a patrol and a Coast Guard vessel to assist in the operation. Fire brigade teams worked alongside the port authority to manage the situation directly at the berth. Thanks to the crew's swift action, all safety protocols were followed, ensuring the evacuation of the affected area and maintaining the safety of both passengers and crew members. Firefighters later boarded the MSC Armonia, collaborating with local authorities to conduct comprehensive inspections. Preventive medical assistance was also provided on site by Suem 118 personnel to support crew members who were initially engaged in firefighting efforts. Thanks to the quick response, the incident was resolved without any injuries.

On April 11, 2023, the port of Barcelona witnessed the deportation of 65 Bolivian nationals who had arrived aboard the cruise ship 'MSC Armonia'. The vessel, which docked in Barcelona on April 2, carried 69 Bolivians, but only four were granted permission to remain in Spain. Among those allowed to stay are three siblings from the same family and the daughter of one of the siblings, whose parents reside in Girona, with the father holding Spanish citizenship. The remaining Bolivians were escorted by bus from the port, where they had been detained since the ship's arrival, to begin their return trip to Santa Cruz, with MSC covering the flight costs. The 'MSC Armonia' commenced its voyage from Brazil in mid-March, planning to visit several Mediterranean locations before reaching its final destination in Venice. Upon arrival in Barcelona, none of the ship’s 1,500 passengers were allowed to disembark due to complications regarding the Bolivian group’s fraudulent visa documentation. Although the falsified visas went unnoticed by MSC at first, Spanish authorities discovered the discrepancies ahead of the ship's docking, prompting an alarm. Eventually, on April 10, the cruise ship was cleared to depart from the port, carrying the other 1,500 passengers, while the Bolivians remained in custody until their deportation. Several asylum requests submitted by members of the group were declined by Spanish authorities, highlighting the ongoing issues related to fake travel documentation sold by unscrupulous travel agents posing as legitimate service providers.

On April 4 at 1:30 p.m., the MSC Armonia resumed its voyage after a two-day halt in Barcelona, where it had been stranded with approximately 1,500 passengers. This delay came as Spanish authorities worked out an agreement regarding those aboard without valid visas. Unfortunately, 69 Bolivian passengers were unable to continue their journey to Messina, set to occur on April 6, due to issues pertaining to their Schengen visas. These individuals will remain in the transit area of Barcelona's port until their circumstances are resolved, sheltered on a ship arranged by MSC during this waiting period. It is anticipated that arrangements will be made for their return to Bolivia at MSC's expense. The visas, which were sold online by a South American agency for up to 9,200 Euros per person, turned out to be fraudulent, and this agency subsequently canceled the return tickets promised to the passengers once the MSC Armonia departed Brazil for its European tour. Furthermore, local law enforcement has not dismissed the possibility that the Bolivians aimed to enter Spain illegally.