What Crew Members Say About Mba-Giovanni

The plight of the 19 crew members aboard the 'MBA Giovanni' continues, as they remain stuck on the vessel for several months. Among the crew are six Italians and 13 Filipinos, trapped on the ship which is anchored in Bohai Bay, laden with Australian coal destined for Huanghua port. The vessel is currently positioned approximately 20 miles from the shoreline, with no crew changes implemented and supplies being delivered sporadically. Psychophysical fatigue is becoming increasingly concerning, as highlighted by Captain Giuseppe Pugliese, who has been on the bridge for a staggering 13 months. The owner of the Naples-based shipping company has criticized the Italian government for its lack of effective mediation with Chinese authorities. The 'MBA Giovanni' departed from Gladstone on June 12, making its way towards Huanghua and initially intended to change crew in Hong Kong or Yeosu. The ship made a refueling stop in Yeosu on June 26, but the crew change did not occur, and the vessel set sail once again. It reached Huanghua on June 29, after three days of navigation, leading some crew members to have spent as long as 17 months on board. The complex anti-pandemic regulations enforced by China have significantly hindered the crew change. Ongoing communication with the sailors is being managed by Admiral Luigi Giardino, the head of the Italian Coast Guard, dedicated to ensuring the safety of mariners. Giardino is collaborating closely with the Italian embassy in Beijing to formulate a resolution on behalf of the Ministry of Transport. One potential solution involves relocating the 'MBA Giovanni' approximately twenty miles to the Tianjin port, one of the ten designated ports by China where disembarkation of seafarers for crew change is permitted. Another prospect includes a dedicated protocol, reportedly submitted to Chinese authorities, which would allow a new crew to arrive in Tianjin, undergo a quarantine period, and subsequently be transferred aboard with the assistance of a tugboat, all while the cargo vessel remains anchored in its current location.

The 'Mba Giovanni', stranded for over four months near Huangua in the Yellow Sea, continues to pose challenges for its 19 crew members, comprising 13 Filipinos and 6 Italians. Chinese authorities have extended an offer to allow the Italian crew members to disembark at the nearby port of Tianjin, located just 15 miles from the vessel's anchorage. This plan would enable the Italian crew to return home directly, while providing a necessary quarantine period for any replacements. The Chinese government's willingness to facilitate this operation remains, yet the final decision is in the hands of the shipowners. Ongoing discussions are being conducted through diplomatic channels to expedite the crew's release. The situation now hinges on the cooperation and agreement between the vessel's receiver, charterer, and owner.

The Kunsan vessel has been successfully chartered, with the delivery scheduled for October 30, 2019. The daily rate for this charter is set at $11,000. The vessel will embark on a trip via the East Coast of Australia, with a planned redelivery in Taiwan for the Taho project.