New Delhi (NVI): Expressing concern over 39 Indian sailors stranded on two ships in Chinese waters for months, Naveen Jindal, Chairman, Jindal Steel and Power Ltd has said that he is ready to buy coal shipments on these vessels if it can help bring the Indian sailors back home.
While taking to Twitter, Jindal said that this is a humanitarian crisis as the Indian sailors are stranded on the Indian ships at Chinese ports for months.
“This is a humanitarian crisis: 39 Indian sailors stranded at Chinese ports for months; were carrying coal from Australia to China. We are ready to buy the coal on these ships if it can help bring our sailors back home,” Jindal tweeted while sharing news that of one sailor among the 39 stranded Indian sailors attempting suicide.
This is a humanitarian crisis: 39 Indian sailors stranded at Chinese ports for months; were carrying coal from Australia to China.
We are ready to buy the coal on these ships if it can help bring our sailors back home. #SaveOurSailors @MEAIndia https://t.co/P2htBvhXnu
— Naveen Jindal (@MPNaveenJindal) January 8, 2021
According to The Maritime Executive, one of the Indian sailors has tried to slash his wrists after he was denied permission to return to India to look after his ailing wife and two sons, who have been diagnosed with Covid-19.
Pertinent to mention here that the Indian bulk cargo vessel MV Jag Anand of Great Eastern Shipping company is on anchorage near Jingtang port in Hebei province of China since June 13, 2020 with 23 Indian nationals as crew on board. Another vessel, MV Anastasia, which has 16 Indian nationals as its crew, is on anchorage near Caofeidian port in China since September 20, 2020.
The Chinese government has neither allowed the sailors to offload the Australian coal nor has it allowed a change of crew. At the same time, China has allowed the vessels from Canada and Russia and Europe to offload the same coal shipments from Australia and depart.
-ARK
