Shipowners blindsided by China's coronavirus crisis are asking classification societies to extend deadlines on essential work to allow ships to trade while awaiting yard space.
Government measures to combat the spread of the virus have brought Chinese shiprepair production to a standstill at a time of unusually high demand.
Owners had timed special survey dockings and environmental upgrades around Chinese New Year to make the most of slack cargo demand and are now left with few obvious alternatives.
