23 Chinese cargo ship crew members, who have been stranded at an Indian port for over 40 days, are likely to return to China “soon,” the Consulate General of China in Kolkata said on Monday.
Freighter "Union Demeter" with 23 Chinese sailors set off from the city of Nantong, east China’s Jiangsu Province, in July 2016 and arrived at India's Haldia port in December.
But the vessel was detained after the completion of the unloading on December 28 by local authorities under an order from a Mumbai court over economic disputes involving the ship’s parent company.
Captain Dai Xiaosong contacted Jiangsu News Radio seeking help.
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India's Haldia port. /Google Maps
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A screen grab of Jiangsu News Radio's website showing the Chinese cargo ship stranded at India's Haldia port on February 13, 2017.
“With joint efforts from relevant parties, progress has been made on resolving the problem,” the Chinese Consulate said in a statement posted on its website.
“We believe the sailors will be able to return to China soon.”
The statement added that the Indian authorities have agreed to facilitate the return of the crew.
The statement also noted that the Consul General Ma Zhanwu and other Chinese officials in India have been “in close communication” with captain Dai, noting that Deputy Consul General Cai Zhifeng has paid a visit to the sailors on board the ship.
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A screen grab of the statement by the Consulate General of China in Kolkata on its website, on February 13, 2017.
"Union Demeter" is owned by Nanjing Tranvast Holdings Limited and all crew members are from Nanjing Yuanteng Shipping Company.
Dai said the stranded crew members were victims of the ship owner’s economic disputes.
Other boats owned by Tranvast did not pay refueling expenses, resulting in the detention of the "Union Demeter," according to the captain.
Tranvast declared bankruptcy in December 2016, the same month the ship was held.
Sailors said they have not been paid for five months and the total outstanding wages reached 1.5 million yuan (218,000 US dollars).
With no other company to take over the ship, the Indian government has so far refused to release the sailors, who face food and water shortage as well as a high risk of contracting dengue fever as they continue to be trapped on board.
Yuanteng’s manager Han Lei said they have asked relevant agencies in India to supply necessities to the crew.