Seafarers Caught in Political Limbo as China Closes Coal Port

Seafarers Caught in Political Limbo as China Closes Coal Port
11-12-2020

A group of Indian seafarers has found themselves among a growing number of crew trapped aboard their ships off the coast of China according to an appeal from the Indian maritime union. The seafarers are caught between two problems, a political spat between China and Australia blocking coal imports and the restrictions which prevent crew changes.

The National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) is appealing for 10,000 email messages to be sent to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Chinese authorities to highlight the humanitarian crisis. The union’s effort comes as family members of the trapped seafarers have also taken to social media to call attention to the crew members trapped at sea.

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