The second batch of16 Indian sailors, stranded in Chinese waters, to return next week says shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaivya

The second batch of sixteen Indian sailors stranded in Chinese waters for more than four months will return home on February 14 following a crew change on their vessel, minister of state for ports and shipping Mansukh Mandaviya said on Wednesday 10 Feb 21.

Last week, Chinese authorities had agreed to India’s request to permit a crew change on the merchant vessel MV Anastasia, which was in anchorage near Caofeidian port since September 20.

“Great start of the day! Our stranded seafarers of MV Anastasia are coming back to India!” Mandaviya said in a tweet.

“The crew will sign off from Japan today and will reach India on 14th Feb. And soon will be reunited with their families!” he added.

Sailors were coming home due to the efforts of the Indian embassy in Beijing and the ministry

The minister said the sailors were coming home due to the efforts of the Indian embassy in Beijing and the ministry. A total of 39 Indian seafarers were stranded on two merchant vessels off Chinese ports for months because of the trade row between China and Australia. Both ships were carrying Australian coal, which they weren’t allowed to unload by Chinese authorities.

Twenty-three sailors stranded on MV Jag Anand, which was at anchorage near Jingtang port since June 13 last year, returned home in January after Chinese authorities allowed a crew change at a Japanese port.

Chinese authorities had outlined detailed steps for a crew change

External affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said last week that Chinese central authorities had given clearance for the transfer of the crew of MV Anastasia after sustained follow-up by the Indian embassy in Beijing.