MV Jag Anand
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that Indian Mission in Beijing continues to remain in touch with the Chinese authorities to seek facilitation and assistance for Indian crew stranded in Chinese waters.
“Our Mission in Beijing continues to remain in touch with the Chinese authorities to seek their facilitation and assistance, which can lead to an early resolution of the issue and help ameliorate the situation of the crew,” MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said on Thursday during the virtual weekly press briefing here.
The bulk cargo vessel MV Jag Anand is on anchorage near Jingtang port in Hebei province of China since June 13 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, waiting for discharge of its cargo.
“There is a considerable amount of stress on the crew members on account of this unprecedented situation,” he said.
“Our Embassy in Beijing has been in constant touch with provincial and central government authorities in China, requesting that the ships be allowed to dock and/or the crew be allowed to be changed,” the spokesperson added.
The Chinese authorities have conveyed that on account of various Covid-19 related restrictions imposed by the local authorities, crew change is not being permitted from these ports, he said.
“We also understand however that some other ships, which arrived after 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 Chinese MFA statement yesterday about provision of necessary facilitation and assistance,” Mr Srivastava added.
