Coronavirus: cruise ships throng Sydney Harbour as entry ban fuels rush for docking

Cruise liners pile up around the harbour as the industry scrambles to deal with the fallout of Australia’s decision to block entry to many vessels

Several countries have banned entry to cruise ships after the infection of more than 700 people on the Diamond Princess berthed off Japan

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A cruise ship is docked at Circular Quay in Sydney. Photo: AFP

Published: 4:56pm, 19 Mar 2020Updated: 4:59pm, 19 Mar 2020

Sydney’s iconic harbour is starting to resemble a parking space for cruise ships.

Vessels are mounting up in the waterway and surrounding coastline as the port and cruise industry scrambles to deal with the logistical fallout of Australia and New Zealand’s decision to bar many foreign boats.

As the southern hemisphere moves into autumn, cruise ship traffic on the famous harbour would typically be quietening down. But right now it’s busier than the summer peak months as domestic ships and vessels excluded from the ban rush back to shore to disembark or get fuel and supplies.

That is meant the port authority for Sydney Harbour is rushing to find options, putting boats both in the standard cruise ship berths and lesser used anchorages, like Athol Bay next to a bustling residential area across from the city’s zoo.

The towering vessels – as large as multi-storey buildings – are a visible reminder of the coronavirus crisis that’s gripping the globe.

Many countries have become increasingly reluctant to grant entry to cruise ships after the infection of more than 700 people on the Diamond Princess berthed off Japan showed how quickly the virus could spread in the close quarters of a boat. Singapore and Canada have banned entry to ships while Vietnam and Thailand are turning away vessels on a case-by-case basis.