Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Sunday, Oct 01, 2006
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Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Sunday, Oct 01, 2006 ePaper |
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Corporate
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Outlook Logistics - Accidents
N.K.Kurup
According to information available, the foreign tanker Kew Bridge ran aground just 500 metres away from the jetty in four-metre deep mud while being piloted to berth at the Finolex Jetty at Ratnagiri, on September 14.
Mumbai , Sept. 30 A Government order requisitioning a Reliance Industries' ship to salvage a foreign LPG carrier that ran aground near Ratnagiri coast two weeks ago has put the company in a tricky situation. On one side, Reliance (RIL) cannot defy the Government order, while on the other it has been forced to shoulder a responsibility of high stakes, and risk, including financial implication. This is a rare instance where the Union Government has invoked the provisions of the Indian Merchant Shipping Act to force a privately owned ship to undertake a rescue operation. According to sources, Reliance had to rush for a special insurance cover as the ship's existing insurance stands cancelled the moment the Government requisitions the ship by invoking the MS Act. On September 21, the Nautical Advisor to the Union Government, directed the Reliance tanker "Nayantara" to proceed to Ratnagiri where LPG carrier Kew Bridge, loaded with 8,500 tonnes of liquefied gas, was stuck in the mud. The order was to undertake a lighterage operation (remove the gas from the stuck ship so that it can be re-floated). According to information available, the foreign tanker Kew Bridge ran aground just 500 metres away from the jetty in four-metre deep mud while being piloted to berth at the Finolex Jetty at Ratnagiri, on September 14. After a week, sensing the gravity of the situation, the Nautical Advisor ordered the Reliance ship to proceed to Ratnagiri for rescue operation. According to sources, the Directorate-General of Shipping first made an appeal to Reliance to help the troubled ship. When it refused to heed it, DG Shipping decided to invoke the provisions of the MS Act to force the Reliance ship to undertake the work. Section 411 of the MS Act empowers the Government to order any Indian ship for its service in matters of public interest. However, shipping circles say that requisitioning the Reliance ship was a knee-jerk reaction of the maritime authorities. They could have asked the salvagers appointed by the owners of the ship to charter a suitable ship for the work. In fact, Reliance's is a 2000 dwt shallow water vessel and it will take about a week to complete the operations. Now Reliance has to enter into an agreement with the international salvagers appointed by the owners of the ship. The company is also concerned about the risk involved in the rescue operations.
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