The government is working on a plan to allow seafarers to return to India in three phases. The standard operating procedure to facilitate return of seafarers is likely to be finalised by Friday, a top source at the Shipping Ministry told The Hindu. He said seafarers on foreign land would be allowed to return to India only when the government lifted its ban on flights and allowed other Indians stranded abroad to return. According to estimates, there are nearly 3,000 seafarers on ships at Indian ports, while 20,000 are on various cruise liners around the world. This will also be an opportunity for cruise liners to halt at Indian ports for crew disembarkation,” said Sanjay Parashar, chairman, International Maritime Federation.

Source: The Hindu April 16, 2020 18:45 UTC