AMN/ WEB DESK
The plight of 23 crew members of Indian ship Jag Anand is far from over as Chinese govt on Wednesday reiterated its unwillingness to allow a crew change citing epidemic control requirements at ports.
The ship MV Jag Anand laden with huge consignment of Australian coal is stuck at China’s Jingtang port since June as China is not allowing the ship to unload the cargo from Australia with which it is locked in a political tussle.
In response to a question on whether China would allow the change of the crew of ‘Jag Anand’ on humanitarian grounds, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian at a press briefing, did not give any clear reply, instead he cited the epidemic prevention measures.
Mr. Zhao also did not give a clear reply to a question on whether crew change can be allowed after due quarantine protocol.
Generally, a 14 days quarantine period is a scientifically accepted practice across the globe to detect the presence of COVID-19 virus.
“In China, there are clear requirements on epidemic prevention and control at ports and on quarantine of crew members. These are all based on science,” he said without detailing the requirements.
The Indian Embassy in Beijing is in regular communication with the local Chinese authorities to find a way out for Jag Anand as well as 16 Indian crew members of another ship MV Anastasia which is stuck in a similar situation at China’s Caofeidian port.
The spokesperson further said that local authorities have been in close communication with the Indian officials. He added, “They have responded in a timely manner to the Indian side’s appeals and provided necessary convenience and assistance while adhering to epidemic prevention rules,”.
China last month put the onus on the freight forwarder of ‘Jag Anand’ ship saying the forwarder did not want to adjust the plans for the vessel due to commercial interests which is the real cause of the situation.
Shipping company’s representative told Prasar Bharati that an old proposal from Chinese Govt. to move the ship Jag Anand to Tianjin port close to Beijing could not fructify due to ‘few unworkable conditions’ attached with it even though attempts were made to move the ship to another port within China.
The impasse which has entered its seventh month inflicted extreme physical and mental agony to the crew who are overstaying on the ship after completing their quota of voyage. Jag Anand along with several other ships carrying millions of tons of Australian coal has been held up at Chinese ports due to the current political tussle between China and Australia.