The Hindu Business Line : Iron ore laden ship lists off Mangalore coast

Mangalore, Sept. 6 Exactly 75 days after the sinking of a ship near Tannir Bavi beach off Mangalore coast, another merchant vessel bound for China, carrying 16,000 tonnes of iron ore fines, listed (tilted) seven nautical miles away from the New Mangalore Port. When the report last came in, two of the tugs of New Mangalore Port were trying to bring back the ship to safety.

Mr P. Tamilvanan, Chairman of New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT), told Business Line that the ship — m.v.Cheng Le Men sailed from the port at 11.30 hours with 16,000 tonnes of iron ore fines. After going out seven nautical miles, it developed some listing (rpt listing).

The vessel, which sailed back, was around 2 km away from the coast when this report was filed. Nationality of the ship is St Vincent and the owner is from China. As many as 28 crewmembers are in the ship. The ship was proceeding to China via Singapore.

Mr Tamilvanan said that the port has put two tugs into operation. “They (tugs) are trying to bring the ship back to normal position,” he said.

Technical snags

The Superintendent of Police of Dakshina Kannada, Mr Satish Kumar, said that the ship developed technical snags off seven nautical miles due to faulty loading. He said the iron ore fines have come to one side in the ship leading to listing in the ship. The ship came to Mangalore from the UAE.

The local fishermen, Coast Guard, and Coastal Security Police are kept ready to face any situation. Even the Coast Guard helicopter has been kept ready. “The situation is under control,” he said. It may be mentioned that Dubai-bound cargo ship— m.v. Den Den sank near Tannir Bavi beach on June 23 due to engine failure and rough weather in the sea. In that three crewmembers lost their lives while 21 were rescued.