As many as thirty-nine Indian nationals are stuck on two ships in Chinese territory since the past few months, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.
External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that bulk cargo vessel, MV Jag Anand, which is carrying 23 Indian nationals as the crew has been docked near Jingtang port in Hebei province of China since June 13.
Another vessel, MV Anastasia has been docked near Caofeidian port in China since September 20, waiting for discharge of its cargo. It is carrying 16 Indian crew.
“Our Embassy is in touch with the Chinese authorities. 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.
Srivastava notified that the owners of the shipping companies, as well as the receivers, have been made aware for the delay in the unloading of the cargo.
"The government continues to be in regular touch with the Chinese authorities to seek a resolution of these issues at the earliest and also to ensure that the humanitarian needs of the crew are taken care of," Mr Srivastava added.
