A group of Russian seafarers have taken control of a Thun Tankers newbuilding in China in a sign of better times to come for shipping.

The Swedish owner said the 18,600-dwt Thun Liffey was delivered by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard on Thursday.

The process to get to that point was an epic struggle, however.

Chief commercial officer Joakim Lund told TradeWinds the crew had to receive visas to visit China and these were only obtainable if they could certify they had not travelled to a European Union country recently.