With no 'proper' response from China , India once again contacts it for two ships stranded in Chinese waters

New Delhi, Jan 9: After two cargo vessels with a total of 39 Indians on board have been on anchorage in China, the Indian embassy in Beijing has asked for approval for a crew change of two ships stranded in Chinese waters, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

 

Speaking at a virtual briefing, MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava, said, "Our Ambassador has again personally taken up this issue with the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister and requested early approval for crew change for Indian crew members aboard two ships MV Jag Anand and MV Anastasia. The Ministry is also in regular contact on this issue with the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi."

 

 

Further, he said that in view of China's strict COVID-19 pandemic control and prevention measures as well as various travel restrictions in place, the Chinese authorities have outlined detailed steps to ensure the smooth movement of a new crew to China to effect crew change.

 

"With regard to the request of exploring alternative modes of crew change at sea, this possibility has also been taken up by Chinese authorities, who have indicated that the details for this option are being worked out. We are awaiting these details from Chinese authorities," the MEA spokesperson added.

 

Srivastava stated that the ministry will continue to remain in touch with various relevant Chinese authorities as well as shipping companies to ensure that the humanitarian needs of the crew are taken care of and that crew changes can be effected at the earliest.

 

Two cargo vessels with a total of 39 Indians on board have been on anchorage in Chinese waters as they were prohibited to unload their cargo. Earlier, the MEA said, "We expect that this assistance will be provided in an urgent, practical and time-bound manner" given the "grave humanitarian situation".

 

It had also said, "We understand that there are several other ships from other countries also awaiting their turn for unloading their cargo. Our Embassy in Beijing has repeatedly taken up these cases both with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also the local provincial authorities, requesting that the ships be allowed to dock and/or the crew be allowed to be changed. They have been following up on this matter for the last few months. The Indian Ambassador has personally taken up this issue with Vice Foreign Minister. The Ministry has also been following this issue with the Chinese Embassy."

 

Earlier, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava had said that some other ships, which arrived after the Indian ship had arrived, have actually managed to discharge cargo and leave. "The reasons for this are not clear. We have also taken note of the Chinese MFA statement yesterday about the provision of necessary facilitation and assistance," he said.

 

The Indian bulk cargo vessel MV Jag Anand of Great Eastern Shipping company is on anchorage near Jingtang port in Hebei province of China since June 13, 2020, with 23 Indian nationals as crew on board. Another vessel, MV Anastasia, which has 16 Indian nationals as its crew, is on anchorage near Caofeidian port in China since September 20, 2020. Both these vessels have been waiting for the discharge of their cargo. There is a growing stress on the crew members on account of the long delay. Given this and our concern for the increasingly difficult conditions for our crew members, these two cases are being pursued vigorously.