By Wu Xiaoyun

On 13 June ‘coastal fire control tug 1’ carried 3-ton rescue supplies, and sent to Liberian ‘PUGNAX’ ship which anchored at Nantong Qidong open ocean. The move solved the food shortage problem for 26 foreign crew members from 8 countries including Holland, Finland, and Germany on ‘PUGNAX’.

‘PUGNAX’ acted by Nantong Jietong international shipping agency Co., Ltd. is a Liberian bulk freighter. It left the last port Rotterdam of Holland on 17 February 2022, anchored at Nantong Qidong open ocean on 30 April. It planned to berth at Qidong COSCO port to load cargo. However, influenced by epidemic control and prevention, the cargo could not be loaded to the ship temporarily. Up to now the ship has anchored in Nantong Qidong open ocean for more than 40 days. The ship carried 26 foreign crew members. Food was in severe shortage, only could last about 3 days, the condition was very urgent.

On 9 June, ‘PUGNAX’ sent urgent request to Nantong Jietong international shipping agency Co., Ltd. to apply for food supply. The agency company reported the relevant condition to Nantong and Qidong epidemic prevention and control headquarters. Knowing the information, Nantong maritime bureau contacted the agent immediately, asked them to look for suitable tug to transport relevant materials.

From ‘coastal fire control tug 1’ loading point to open ocean where ‘PUGNAX’ anchored, it takes more than 6 hours. In the afternoon of the transport, there was large wind and waves. To ensure its successful implementation, workers of Nantong maritime bureau took ‘Haixun 0692’ to monitor the whole process.