Return of 23 Indian sailors from China delayed as MV Jag Anand's ETA at Japan deferred

In the latest development, the return of 23 Indian sailors from China on the cargo ship MV Jag Anand has been delayed after the vessel's arrival at Japan with the sailors has been deferred to 18 January. Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Mansukh Mandaviya earlier announced the return of the 23 seafarers from China via Japan on January 14. However, with the arrival of MV Jag Anand at Japan delayed, the sailors along with the cargo ship are expected to reach Chiba on January 18. 

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. China, on December 25, had said that there is no 'link' between the stranded Indian ship crew on its Chinese ports and its strained relations with India and Australia. The statement had come a day after the External Affairs Ministry had said that two cargo vessels with a total of 39 Indians on board have been on anchorage in Chinese waters as they were not allowed to unload their cargo. China, last month, had blamed the freight forwarder of Jag Anand ship for the impasse, saying he is not letting the ship to leave. 

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had stated in late November that while the crew change is not feasible from Jingtang port, the shipping company/agent may apply for a crew rotation from Tianjin port in China and that local authorities would examine the request for the same after it is received from the shipping company/agent.

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Return of 23 Indian sailors delayed

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On December 30, 2020, Union Minister Mansukh Manadviya had said that Indian sailors stuck in China will be brought back soon as diplomatic talks are on with the neighbouring country. Two cargo vessels with Indian sailors on board have been on anchorage in Chinese waters as they were not allowed to unload their cargo, though some other ships have managed to do so. Another vessel, MV Anastasia with 16 Indian nationals as its crew, is on anchorage near Caofeidian port in China since September 20, waiting for discharge of its cargo, he had said at a media briefing.

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