NEW DELHI: India on Friday called for urgent, practical and time-bound assistance for 39 Indian sailors stranded on two freighters in Chinese waters at the “grave” humanitarian situation development on board ships.
Citing restrictions related to the coronavirus, Chinese authorities have not allowed the ships, MV Jag Anand and MV Anastasia, to dock or undergo a crew change for months.
“There is increasing stress on the crew members due to the long delay. Given this and our concern about increasingly difficult conditions for our crew members, these two cases are being vigorously investigated,” the Ministry spokesperson said. of Foreign Affairs (MEA), Anurag. Srivastava said.
He said that while the shipping companies in question are examining the logistics of moving ships away from their current anchorage points, the Indian embassy in Beijing it is in contact with the relevant Chinese authorities to obtain docking approvals to facilitate crew changes.
Srivastava said that the Indian bulk cargo ship MV Jag Anand, with 23 Indian sailors, has been anchored near the port of Jingtang in China’s Hebei province since June 13, while MV Anastasia, with 16 Indians as members of the crew, is anchored near the port of Caofeidian since 20 September. .
We have taken note of the statements of the Chinese side, expressing its willingness to extend its assistance in this matter. We hope that this assistance will be provided in an urgent, practical and time-bound manner, given the serious humanitarian situation that is developing in boarding the ships, “he said in response to a media query on the matter.
Srivastava said that the Indian embassy in Beijing continued in close and continuous contact with the Chinese authorities in Beijing, Hebei and Tianjin, adding that the MEA is also following up on the matter through the The Chinese embassy here for “an early resolution”.
He said the Indian embassy has repeatedly broached the issue with both the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the local provincial authorities, requesting that ships be allowed to dock and / or that the crew be allowed to change.
“They have been following up on this matter for the past few months. The Indian ambassador has personally raised this issue with the Deputy Foreign Minister. The Ministry has also been following up on this issue with the Chinese embassy,” Srivastava said.
He said that Chinese authorities have communicated that due to various COVID-19-related restrictions imposed by local authorities, crew changes are not allowed in these ports.
“While shipping companies are examining the logistics of moving ships away from their current anchor points, our embassy is communicating with the relevant authorities in Tianjin to obtain docking approvals to facilitate crew changes,” added Srivastava.
He said that shipping companies have been asked to make sure to submit their plans for the crew change as soon as possible for approval by local Chinese authorities.
“We also understand that MV Anastasia is exploring the possibility of a crew change at sea at its current anchor point in Caofeidian. Our Embassy yesterday wrote to the Chinese authorities proposing this alternative and requested their approval,” said the spokesperson. by MEA.
He said that the Chinese Foreign Ministry conveyed in late November that while changing the crew from Jingtang port would not be feasible, the shipping company or agent may request crew rotation from Tianjin port in China, and that the local authorities would examine after receiving requests for the same.
Srivastava said the shipping companies involved have been asked to make crew change requests quickly.
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