Indian media recently reported that China has imposed an unofficial ban on ships crewed by Indian seafarers.
More specifically, the Times of India informs that the ‘All India Seafarer & General Workers Union’ issued a written letter to the Indian government claiming that China is banning Indian seafarers.
The union also claims that the ban prevents Indian nationals from entering Chinese ports, causing 21,000 Indian sailors to face potential job losses.
Moreover, Indonesia opened crew changes for everyone except Indian and South Africans.
This is not the first time China has banned Indian seafarers, as during 2021 18 Indian crew of the MSC ship Anastasia were stranded off China.
The crew denied entry and the problem was not resolved until MSC diverted the ship to Japan after five months of negotiations and waiting.
Furthermore, Captain Sanjay Parashar, a member of India’s National Shipping Board, adds that China has told foreign shipping companies that they can lift or unload the cargo only if they agree to its terms, not to employ Indian crew.
