Will the ill-fated container ship “MSC Chitra” be able to make its last voyage to the Alang ship-breaking yard?
For the past few days, salvage corps have been trying to save the ship which was last Saturday moved out of the Mumbai harbour , where it was lying for the past nine months after it collided with another vessel, m.v. Khallijia.
Water started flowing into the vessel which is now located 30 nautical miles north of Mumbai. “We are trying our best to keep the vessel afloat. Water is being pumped out and salvage experts are working with the support of tugs and barges, “said Mr Deepak Tiwari, local head of Mediterranean Shipping Company, the ship's owner.
The partly submerged vessel at the harbour waters with several containers on board was re-floated by the salvage firm SMIT International on March 10 and was being prepared for its voyage to Alang.
On March 19, during strong ebb tide, the vessel's mooring lines broke and the vessel stated drifting. However, the ship was manoeuvred out of the harbour to a safe location away from the Port's navigation channel.
According to Capt Tiwari, even if the ship is ready to be moved further, it cannot be taken to Alang now as the water level is not high enough to beach the vessel. “We may have to wait another week till end of this month,” he said.
Capt Tiwari said he had found a buyer for the vessel at Alang and also got the approval of the Director General of shipping to take the vessel out to Alang. According to shipping sources, if the vessel continues to flood, owners have no option but to abandon it. Also, there is a risk in taking the ship to Alang. The ship has several damaged containers still on board. There could be toxic gases in the ship. Scrapping such a ship could also pose environmental risks, they said.
The Director General of shipping has been holding meetings every day to assess the situation. According to a press release issued by DG Shipping, there is no hazardous cargo or measurable quality of oil on board the vessel.
The ship is well clear of the Mumbai port limits and port entrance, the release said.
m.v. Khalijjia
The bulk carrier m.v. Khallijia which is involved in the collision with MSC Chitra, is also been marked for scrapping.
The ship has been berthed at the Indira Dok in Mumbai port for the last nine months.
Though the vessel was put on auction recently, there were no takers.