New Delhi (NVI): Around 16 Indian sailors, stranded on cargo vessel MV Anastasia in Chinese waters since September last year, will be reaching India on February 14, Union Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said today.
The Shipping Minister also appreciated the efforts of the Indian Embassy in China in the safe return of the sailors on a cargo ship which will sign off from Japan today.
Taking to Twitter, Mandaviya said, “Great start of the day! Our stranded seafarers of MV Anastasia are coming back to India! The crew will sign off from Japan today and will reach India on 14th Feb.”
“And soon will be reunited with their families! Appreciate the efforts of Indian Embassy in China and Team MSC,” he added.
Great start of the day !
Our stranded seafarers of MV Anastasia are coming back to India!
The crew will sign off from Japan today and will reach India on 14th Feb.
And soon will be reunited with their families!
Appreciate the efforts of Indian Embassy in China and Team MSC
— Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) February 10, 2021
A total of 39 Indian crew members were stranded on two different cargo ships in Chinese waters, out of which, 23 sailors on the ship MV Jag Anand returned to India earlier in January.
The ship MV Anastasia with 16 Indians as crew members had been on anchorage near Caofeidian port since September 20 last year.
The Chinese authorities have not allowed the ship to either dock or go for a crew change for months due to restrictions which had been imposed due to coronavirus pandemic.
Notably, the Indian Embassy in Beijing remained in close and continuous touch with the Chinese authorities for safe and smooth return of crew members back to India.
-RJV/ARK
