On February 19, the container ship ‘Hai Xing Shun’ was intercepted by Maritime Safety Patrol boats in Yangtze estuary deep-water channel, after a chase. It’s a common phenomenon for vessels to enter Yangtze waters, Shanghai and upstream, without proper formalities and local media comment these vessels as ‘ghost ships’.
Specifically, authorities chased the container ship as they spotted it entering deep-water channel with AIS off.
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Also, the vessel did not respond to the authorities’ requests to identify itself.
The ship was intercepted, seized and brought to anchor at Hegsha West Anchorage. During the chase Hai Xing Shun reckless maneuvering threatened navigational safety.
Local sources report that attempts to enter Yangtze waters, Shanghai and upstream, without proper formalities, became quite regular recently, reasons not clearly understood – it is said only, that such ships pursue ‘illegal interests’.
Finally, the pattern seems to be always the same – AIS off and radio silence. Local media already nicknamed such ships as ‘ghost ships’.