The souring relationship between China and Australia is spiralling into a humanitarian crisis for seafarers, with more than 20 coal carriers reportedly stuck in North China.
Citing an analysis of IHS Markit, Global Ports and its own data, Bloomberg estimated a total of 21 bulkers in the Chinese port of Jingtang have faced prolonged delays.
Carrying roughly 400 seafarers and 2m tonnes of coal from Australia, those were composed of eight capesize and 13 panamax bulkers. Nineteen of the vessels arrived in June and July.
The bulkers could not discharge their cargoes in Jingtang, a North China terminal for metallurgical coal, amid widespread reports of Beijing ordering Chinese firms to halt imports of Australian coal.
‘Floating prison’
In an open letter, National Union of Seafarers of India said the 23 seafarers aboard the 179,300-dwt Jag Anand (built 2011) – one of the stranded ships in Jingtang – were effectively put in “floating prison”.
“We have at hand a humanitarian crisis on-board where the entire crew is fatigued and requires urgent relief,” the union said. “All seafarers on-board…are mentally and physically exhausted due to unprecedented stay.”
Of the seafarers on the bulker, 15 have served for at least 16 months and the rest 13 months, according to the union.
The union added that the Chinese government did not allow a change of drew despite intervention by Indian authorities.
“Efforts to take the ship to another country or any other Chinese port is also being resisted by the Chinese with the [threat of] arrest of the ship and seafarers on board,” the union said.
“In the politics between Australia and China, our Indian seafarers and their families are suffering.”
The India-flagged, Great Eastern Shipping-owned Jag Anand arrived in Jingtang on 13 June. Vessel tracking data shows the vessel remains at the Chinese terminal on Monday.
“There are many other vessels waiting at anchorage for months due to Chinese politics,” the letter said.
In a press briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin recognised an Indian ship had berthed near Jingtang since June but did not specify the vessel's name.
“China has never denied its departure. The freight forwarder doesn't want to adjust the plans for the vessel due to commercial interests, which is the real cause of the situation,” Wang said.
“The Chinese local authorities have been in close communication with the Indian side and responded to their requests in a timely manner.
“In terms of emergency assistance, if they ask and apply for it, the Chinese side will immediately provide assistance in compliance with epidemic control regulations, including providing necessary supplies.”
TradeWinds has approached Great Eastern Shipping for comment.
Rising tensions
Tensions between Beijing and Canberra have escalated in recent years, with China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea and alleged interference in Australian politics and Australia’s call for a probe into the origins of Covid-19, among other reasons.
Amid the deterioration of ties between the countries, China has reportedly banned the imports of multiple Australian goods – including coal, lobster, log and others – in recent months.
