Crude futures settle higher Monday

Oil prices climbed on Monday.

The West Texas Intermediate for June delivery increased by 2.65 U.S. dollars, or 2.78 percent, to settle at 98.07 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for July delivery gained 2.92 dollars, or 2.88 percent, to settle at 104.21 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.

Spain completed the evacuation and transfer of the final group of passengers and crew members from the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius on Monday, as the vessel departed the Spanish island of Tenerife and set sail for Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

The final group of 28 evacuees, including passengers and crew members, disembarked after the ship docked at the Port of Granadilla on Tenerife and were subsequently transferred to Tenerife South Airport for a flight to the Netherlands, while another 26 crew members on board the vessel continued their voyage to Rotterdam.

Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia said that the vessel docked for around one hour following a recommendation by Spain's Maritime Authority due to strong winds and rough sea conditions in the port area, in order to ensure the safety of passengers and emergency personnel, and the entire evacuation operation had been carried out "under completely safe conditions."

According to Garcia, among the final evacuees were six passengers who had originally been scheduled to fly to Australia but were ultimately transferred on the Netherlands-bound flight.

She said that after all evacuees leave the island of Tenerife, the relevant Spanish authorities will carry out a comprehensive disinfection of the areas receiving the evacuees.