Restrictions on the repatriation of Chinese seafarers implemented by Beijing in the run up to its Covid-19 zero-tolerance policy for the Winter Olympics are causing crews to be held up for weeks in hotels at massive cost.
European Union Schengen visa rules, which should be applied similarly across the EU, are being adhered to differently in various countries with Chinese crews being allowed to sign off in the Netherlands but not in Belgium, France and Spain, manning expert Boers Crew Services told TradeWinds.
