Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has made a plea that seafarers on a panamax bulker anchored off China for months be allowed to disembark and return home.

The Swiss owner said on Sunday that it is "calling for an urgent crew-change solution" for the 92,200-dwt Anastasia (built 2012), moored off China's northern coast with a dozen other ships.

The vessel has been anchored off the port of Caofeidian since 20 September, according to VesselsValue, because Chinese authorities have rejected its crew for the past six months.

"China has prohibited a crew change at Chinese ports due to Covid-19 restrictions and MSC’s mid-December requests for a crew change at anchorage or in Japan, a few days sailing away, have not been carried out," MSC said in a statement.

"As the technical operator of the ship, MSC is very concerned for the well-being of these sailors and is in regular contact with them, and with their families ashore, as well as supplying a clinical psychologist for remote support."

MSC said local authorities will not allow a doctor on board, so the company is trying to solve the crisis through diplomatic channels.

Refused time and again

MSC's requests to change the crew were refused in Hong Kong in June and at Japan's Mutsure Island in August.

It made further attempts over the next four months to change its crew in Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore and Busan in South Korea, but they were also refused.

On Thursday, the company considered sailing to Japan for a crew change.

"MSC is deeply concerned that none of these solutions have worked so far," the owner said.

"MSC, as the technical operator of the ship, cannot simply order the master to deviate to a port for a crew change, as the vessel could be arrested as a result.

"This would only perpetuate the problem and may result in the crew remaining onboard for even longer than necessary."

MSC said it encourages all governments to solve the global crew-change crisis for the sake of seafarers trapped on vessels due to Covid-19 restrictions and trade issues between China and Australia.

"We have brought the matter to the attention of the UN International Maritime Organization, and other international governmental and industry bodies," it said.

"We will continue to support them and ensure that everyone on board continues to receive timely remuneration and is provided with food, water and other essentials."