New Delhi, Jan 14 (UNI) The return of 23 sailors stranded at a Chinese port due to Covid-induced restrictions has been delayed as their vessel MV Jag Anand would now reach Japan’s port Chiba on January 18, officials said.
Once they reach the Chiba port, they will have to go through the Coronavirus protocol in Japan and after that they will be heading for Home, the officials added.
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The cargo ship MV Jag Anand with the sailors was scheduled to leave Chinese port on January 9 but it was later deferred and now they are likely to reach Japan after four days.
The sailors were expected to reach Japan on January 14 following which they were due to be subjected to COVID-19 protocols before being flown back home.
Citing coronavirus-related restrictions, Chinese authorities have not allowed the ship, MV Jag Anand to either dock or go for a crew change for months.
Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on January 9 had said that these seafarers would be returning to India on January 14 and the cargo ship MV Jag Anand along with these seafarers were all set to sail towards Chiba in Japan to carry out crew change.
The Ministry of External Affairs had informed that Indian Ambassador in Beijing took up the issue of 39 Indian sailors stranded on two cargo ships in Chinese waters and requested early approval for crew change for Indian crew members aboard the two vessels with the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister.
Apart from MV Jag Anand, the vessel MV Anastasia with 16 Indian nationals as its crew, has been on anchorage near Caofeidian port in China since September 20, waiting for discharge of its cargo.
