- The number of coal carriers stranded off China with banned Australian coal has ducked under the 50 mark.
- But still around 1,000 seafarers remain marooned thanks to the ongoing spat between Australia and China.
- Canberra and Beijing have seen relations sour significantly over the past year with Australia leading the charge to investigate the origins of the coronavirus.
- China has slapped bans on a host of Australian products in response.
A recent Splash 247 news written by Sam Chambers talks about the sad story of 48 ships with Australian coal still stranded off China’s coastline.
How many ships have been trapped?
As of this week, there are 11 capesizes and 37 panamaxes stuck in China, with Australian coal.
Some of these ships have been waiting to discharge since April last year.
At its height, Braemar ACM tracked 75 capesize and panamax vessels anchored outside Chinese ports.
Shipmanagers, shipping associations and seafarer unions have been urging governments and relevant shipping parties to resolve the dry bulk standoff on China’s coastline that has stranded so many seafarers.
Australian products banned by Beijing?
Australian wine, lobster, sugar, fruit, timber and barley are among a range of Australian products banned by Beijing.
In May last year, China imposed an 80.5% tariff on Australian barley.
Barley exports from Australia to China had been in decline for the past few years, hitting 1.2m tonnes in 2020, down from 1.6m tonnes in 2019 and 3.9m tonnes in 2018, according to Braemar ACM.
Australia’s share of total Chinese imports declined from nearly 100% in 2018 to 59% in 2019 and then to 29% in 2020.
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Source: Splash247
