Chinese ship with 23 on board denied entry at Vizag port in AP
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Only after 15 days, when we ensure that there are no virus-affected crew in the ship, we shall give them berth
PL HARINATH , Visakhapatnam
Port Trust deputy chairman
HYDERABAD: With India stepping up screening for coronavirus disease (Covid-19), a cargo ship from China was kept off the shore in the Bay of Bengal by Visakhapatnam Port Trust authority on Friday pending medical screening of the crew.
The bulk carrier, Fortune Hero, with a crew of 17 Chinese and five Myanmar nationals, reached Visakhapatnam early on Thursday, but was not allowed to enter the port despite an advance booking. “As per the protocol issued in the wake of outbreak of coronavirus, ships coming from affected countries such as China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are not supposed to be allowed into the port for disembarking passengers or unloading unless the crew are screened for the virus,” Visakhapatnam Port Trust deputy chairman PL Harinath said.
If the duration of travel is less than 14 days, there is a possibility of the crew carrying the virus even if they do not exhibit any symptoms, and the Indian protocol is that they will not be permitted to enter the port. “Only after 15 days, when we ensure that there are no virus-affected crew in the ship, we shall give them berth,” Harinath added.
The cargo vessel took less than 14 days to arrive at the port from China. “So, we did not allow it into the port and it had anchored deep in the sea, about four to five km away from the shore. Later, as per the protocol, the master of the cargo ship sent a declaration to the port authorities stating that none of the 22 crew members were infected with coronavirus,” the port official said.
On Friday, a senior health official from the Port checked the shipmaster’s papers, which said none of the crew was infected.
“The official was given protection and was equipped with material to test for coronavirus. Only after he certifies that all the crew are symptom free, will we allow the ship to enter the port at the allotted berth,” Harinath said.