Port of Haifa
On 1 January 1940, Fabre Line sold "Patria" to Messageries Maritimes. On 6 June 1940 she entered the Port of Haifa after sailing from Beirut. On 10 June Italy declared war on France and the UK. Any Allied ship passing Italy to reach France would now be in danger of attack, so "Patria" remained in port in Haifa.