The Indian chief officer of a Norwegian-owned bulker has been denied an emergency disembarkation for medical treatment at Lianyungang in China.
The denial comes despite negative results of Covid-19 testing and a fully vaccinated crew on board the Saga Shipholding vessel.
The company's head of technical, Nils Otto Bjorhovde, told TradeWinds that local authorities of China's Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) granted permission for the 56,800-dwt Saga Morus (built 1997) to disembark its acutely ill chief officer, then revoked it the next day.
The Saga Morus, owned by Norway's Hesnes Holding, trades in the Saga Welco open-hatch pool operated by Norwegian-based Saga, a subsidiary of NYK Line. The Hong Kong-flag ship is managed by Hong Kong-based Anglo-Eastern Ship Management.
All parties plus the Hong Kong Shipowners Association have called on Chinese officials to act to allow the chief officer to receive treatment.
Bjorhovde and other officials found the refusal especially unacceptable because of the negative Covid-19 test and the fact that the vessel has close connections to China through flag and ship manager.
TradeWinds has reviewed correspondence on the case of the chief officer.
The case began with a severe toothache, which led to inflammation of sinus and ear and eye cavities. Treatment with painkillers and antibiotics led to allergic reactions, and medical consultant 3Cube Medicare advised that treatment on board was no longer possible.
Power struggle
"We are currently preparing the vessel for leaving the port and [sailing] to Korea, where they have confirmed acceptance of shore medical treatment of our crew member," Bjorhovde said in email correspondence that he made available to TradeWinds.
"This is an extremely frustrating situation where we have a crew member in excruciating pain for several days and which are denied, for no good reason, the needed medical attention. To me it seems like we are caught in a power struggle between China MSA and local authorities without concern of the crew."
The Saga Morus is set to depart for Incheon in South Korea, where the chief officer will be permitted to disembark for treatment.
But officials claim Chinese authorities are slowing this process as well, as the ship is now within the Chinese customs zone and if it departs for South Korea before customs clearance has been granted, it will incur severe financial penalties upon return to China.
A local agent in correspondence with Saga Shipholding estimated clearance would take two days.
Another shipping executive who has been involved in several similar cases as well as the present one found that the actions of local Chinese MSA officials represent a pattern.
"Unfortunately and regrettably, whereas we have had some success in addressing individual cases, we have not seen much progress in terms of addressing the underlying disrespect for decent treatment of seafarers in terms of a national directive," the executive said.
"It is very much left to local authorities to decide how to address the risk of Covid and too many take the view that even medical attention to seafarers in need [does] not justify any contact with shore personnel."
TradeWinds could not immediately reach the MSA for comment.
