“MV Jakarta” had beached at Alang on Saturday with a 14 member crew on board. They were quarantined almost immediately after disembarking from the ship.

Two Indians, including a ship Captain and two Filipinos, were amongst the first 4 COVID cases that came to light at Alang shipbreaking yard, India.

The two Filipinos were among the member crew of “MV Jakarta”, a Bulk Carrier built in 2018, sailing the Liberian flag.

Representation Image – Credits: Go Green Go India /www.shipbreakingplatform.org

Alang in Gujarat is the world’s biggest ship-breaking yard with hundreds of ships getting scrapped each year.

Since it was announced that Alang would be opened for shipbreaking, the district administration has laid out a procedure regarding the dismantling of ships and quarantine of seafarers coming to the yard in a special facility set up at a hotel.

“Two hotels, which are paid quarantine facilities, have been kept dedicated for Alang,” said Gaurang Makwana, Bhavnagar District Collector.

Despite having a net 30 per cent workforce in Alang, the plots that have opened in the yard continue to work without any difficulties.