Pic: Logos of FOSMA and MASSA

 The Foreign Ship-owners Representatives and Ship Managers Association (FOSMA) and Maritime Association of Shipowners Shipmanagers and Agents (MASSA) have recently released a joint statement to clear the air on some media reports about there being an unofficial ‘ban’ by the Chinese Government on Indian seafarers entering and leaving China, and which has resulted in significant job losses to the Indians.

FOSMA and MASSA, two of the major shipping bodies of India that provide 75% of Indian manpower on foreign flag ships, have stated that their members indicate neither any major shift away from Indian seafaring manpower, nor any changes to what China had imposed in the SOP’s for Indian seafarers from the very start of this pandemic.

They further stated, “The past 3 months have been exceptionally challenging due to increased impact of COVID, in India and in other countries, which have together put crew reliefs (Indian, as well as others) in disarray in countries traditionally suited for reliefs.

“However, the Indian Maritime Administration is fully seized of the matter and is in dialogue with the concerned states to find a suitable resolution to this stalemate.”

Marex Media