After much persuasion, three Chinese technicians on board the project cargo vessel Zhen Hua 15 from China have received permission to disembark the ship docked at Vizhinjam International Seaport and assist the staff deployed by the company to unload the cranes brought for the port. The ship has around 30 people, including 12 technicians. However, the Chinese nationals have not received permission to come ashore from the ship moored off the Vizhinjam coast since October 11.
The Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) authorities have given permission for three crew members to disembark the ship here under the supervision of two immigration officers posted on the berth, according to Adani Group officials. However, the office of the Port Minister informed the media on Thursday that the entire crew, including technicians, are now allowed to come ashore. The Chinese company had earlier arranged a team of around 60 staff brought from Mumbai for offloading works.
It will take at least a week to offload the giant ship-to-shore rail-mounted quay cranes from the ship. Apart from the quay crane, the consignment comprises two rail-mounted gantry cranes for the use of yard operations at the port. Though the crew received permission to come ashore on October 19, they couldn’t commence the work due to bad weather. It is difficult for the staff to unload the cranes during rough sea conditions.
