Working Conditions Aboard the Ocean-Majesty

In a recent development, Dutch authorities have reached an agreement with the owners of the iconic vessel "Ocean Majesty" (IMO number: 6600061) to extend its charter as an accommodation ship for asylum seekers. Initially, there were discussions back in June regarding the search for a more budget-friendly housing alternative for asylum seekers, which put the future of the 60-year-old ship into question. However, a negotiated reduction in rates has now secured the "Ocean Majesty's" stay at its berth in Velsen until at least July 1, 2026. Additionally, an option to extend this arrangement until December 31, 2026, has also been finalized. It’s worth noting that the "Ocean Majesty" is set to mark its 60th anniversary on December 4, 2025, showcasing its long-standing place in maritime history.

The 'Ocean Majesty', a prominent cruise ship, is preparing to leave its dock in Velsen after a significant three-year role as a housing solution for asylum seekers. Scheduled to depart from its location near Amsterdam in early August 2025, this vessel has been operating as a floating hotel under a charter agreement with local authorities. As the contract nears its end, officials have determined that 'Ocean Majesty' is no longer economically viable for this purpose due to high operational costs and its larger size, which is ill-suited for the current needs. Presently, it accommodates around 300 asylum seekers. In light of these developments, the local government is actively seeking a more economical and adequately sized replacement by exploring various options through two recent tender processes. Unfortunately for 'Ocean Majesty', it has been disqualified from this search due to its prohibitive chartering costs.

In an interesting turn of events, the cruise ship 'Ocean Majesty' is slated for conversion into a refugee accommodation facility in Amsterdam. The charter company 'Hansa Touristik' has already terminated the contracts of the 220 crew members as part of this transition. Previously, the 'Ocean Majesty' concluded a 21-day voyage to Greenland, returning to Hamburg on August 7, 2023. This new role not only aims to provide a supportive environment for asylum seekers but may also generate additional revenue for its operators. Notably, the ship faced significant challenges when it was detained by Swedish authorities in June 2022 due to critical safety violations, which forced the cancellation of its cruise at that time. These issues were likely linked to the extended layup period that lasted from March 2020 until April 2022.

The Maritime Prefect of the Atlantic has initiated an inquiry into the cruise ship 'Ocean Majesty', following allegations of environmental violations off the coast of the Glenan Islands. Reports indicate that the vessel may have discarded garbage, including plastic debris and oil containers, into the waters of this picturesque archipelago. Fishermen and recreational boaters in the area reported sighting various forms of waste floating in the vicinity. On May 13, 2022, authorities conducted an inspection of the 'Ocean Majesty' while it was docked at the port of Lorient. The examination did not yield any incriminating evidence, allowing the ship to proceed to its next destination at the port of Saint-Nazaire. Despite the initial findings, the investigation remains active, with further analysis of the waste collected from the area to ensure comprehensive evaluation and accountability for potential marine pollution.