The Swedish Club has issued a warning to its members that China’s planned military exercises off Taiwan will compromise safety.
China has established six no-sail zones ahead of four days of military exercises around Taiwan starting at noon local time (0400 GMT).
The move is being taken as sabre rattling by China in response to US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan.
The Gothenburg- based protection and indemnity mutual said the no-go areas — known as warning zones — are all close to the major Taiwanese ports of Keelung, Suao, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Anping, Hoping and Hualien.
“Therefore, navigation and safety will be affected,” the Swedish Club said.
The port authorities are ready to alert shipping which enters the warning zones. But the Swedish Club advised it is safer to try to avoid entering the danger areas because communications could fail.
“As the power of radar and radio is limited, vessels should be careful to avoid entering the warning zones and should take alternative routes,” the insurer said.
Watching developments
The Swedish Club seems to be the first P&I Club to warn others of the potential dangers of navigating around Taiwan.
Other clubs told TradeWinds they are watching developments closely, explaining that members have already been alerted to the threat by the general media.
TradeWinds earlier reported how maritime security intelligence firm Dryad warned that diversions to avoid China’s military exercises could result in increasing traffic in Taiwan’s already congested shipping lanes.
It urged ship managers to be vigilant in following collision avoidance regulations.
