The MSC shipping line hails the return of Indian sea farers held up outside chinese ports for several months

The MSC shipping line has hailed the return of the Indian sea farers who were on board the vessel ANASTASIA and held up near Chinese ports for several months due to disputes with the Chinese authorities

The reunions are overdue, but we are glad to finally see the courageous crew of the cargo ship ANASTASIA repatriated to India after an extraordinarily challenging stint at sea,” said a release from MSC.

ANASTASIA was one of dozens of ships that became stuck off the coast of China

The ANASTASIA was one of dozens of ships that became stuck off the coast of China in recent months amid a trade dispute. The vessel was eventually able to perform a crew change in Japan on February 10, 2021, following half a year of attempts by MSC to convince chartering parties to find a way to relieve the seafarers. This dispute outside chinese ports took place  at a time when many ports are not allowing sailors to switch on and off ships amid stringent Covid-19 precautionary measures.

After repeated appeals and having exhausted all the possible other options for crew change, MSC shipping line  recently prioritised Japan as the quickest and most efficient way to provide the necessary relief for the crew and to enable the ship to subsequently continue in service.

About 20 Indian crew members of the ship arrived in Mumbai last week.

Hundreds of thousands of other seafarers are stuck at sea since crew changes were banned by many governments to help curb the spread of Covid-19. While MSC observes and supports Covid-19 health and sanitation requirements wherever it operates, the situation has led to serious consequences for seafarers’ physical and mental well-being, as well as risking serious disruptions to global trade.