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United News of India
6 days ago
- General
- United News of India
Oil, diesel leakage: 146 personnel deployed shoreline cleanup, retrieval of containers
Kochi, May 29 (UNI) Citing oil and diesel leakage from containers, 146 personnel have been deployed for shoreline cleanup and container retrieval operations for the ongoing response to the capsizing of Liberian flagged container ship MSC ELSA 3, off the Kerala coast on May 25, 2025. "108 personnel have been deployed for shoreline cleanup and container retrieval operations. An additional 38 personnel have been mobilized for emergency response in Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, and Kollam," Capt. Abul Kalam Azad, Nautical Advisor to the Government of India, has said. The 184-meter-long ship built in Germany in 1997 was carrying 640 containers, including 13 containing hazardous materials. Over 100 containers are reported to have been lost at sea, and several have washed ashore in Alappuzha, Kollam, Ernakulam, and Thiruvananthapuram. These efforts are being coordinated with the District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) and District Collectors of the affected coastal areas. The vessel was carrying 367.1 tonnes of Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) and 84.44 tonnes of marine diesel fuel. The environmental threat posed by the incident is being actively mitigated. The Indian Coast Guard has deployed ships and aircraft for aerial surveillance. Dispersants are being applied under the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan. Capt Abul Kalam Azad outlined three top operational priorities: Oil recovery from the sunken vessel, Retrieval of drifting containers and Removal of beached containers. The oil recovery operation is currently underway, with the salvage team setting July 3, 2025, as the completion target. So far, 50 containers have been identified from seven different coastal locations. The priority is to recover all of them within the next 48 hours. Ajithkumar Sukumaran, Chief Surveyor to the Government of India, stated, 'The Ministry and DG Shipping are fully cognizant of the magnitude and complexity of the situation. All mechanisms are in place to address the issue and avert any further mishap.' Senthil Kumar, Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department, reassured the public, saying, 'While minor oil traces have been detected, there has been no major oil spill. All traces found along the coast are being cleaned up through coordinated efforts.' Within 6 hours of the incident, DG Shipping convened a coordination meeting to avert a potential environmental disaster. Prompt rescue efforts ensured the safety of all 24 crew members. To date, 8 inter-agency coordination meetings have been held, issuing clear directives to all stakeholders. An onsite team in Kochi continues to monitor and manage pollution risks. High-range drones and precision scanning equipment are in use to detect and contain oil traces. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is working closely with DG Shipping, deploying trained volunteers for cleanup activities, said Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Shipping and Additional Secretary to the Government of India; Officials reiterated that there is no large-scale oil spill and urged coastal residents not to panic. All visible traces are being addressed swiftly and scientifically. Local administrations are in constant touch with MMD and DG Shipping, and all container recovery and cleanup measures are under strict monitoring. UNI DS BM
Time of India
26-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Three Indian Coast Guard ships deployed to tackle oil container ship incident off Kochi coast, says Sonowal
In the wake of the capsizing of cargo vessel MSC ELSA III off the Kerala coast near Kochi , the Indian Coast Guard on Monday deployed three capital ships — ICG Samarth , ICG Saksham , and ICG Vikram — as part of an urgent multi-agency effort to prevent a marine pollution disaster. "Held a detailed review with DG Shipping, Secretary (Shipping) and other senior officials to assess the urgent measures being undertaken by the ministry to address the situation arising from the capsizing of MSC ELSA III off the Kerala coast near Kochi. We are fully committed to ensuring the complete salvage of marine fuel and other hazardous materials being transported in 13 IMDG containers. All crew members have been safely evacuated with the assistance of the Indian Coast Guard," he wrote in a post on social media platform X. The union minister also confirmed that the pollution response vessel Sagar Prahari had departed from Mumbai and was en route to the site. Regular aerial surveillance is being carried out using Dornier aircraft equipped with the MSS 6000 system to detect and monitor oil spillage. "Three capital ships - ICG Samarth, ICG Saksham and ICG Vikram have been deployed to the affected area. Additionally, the pollution response vessel Sagar Prahari departed from Mumbai today and is en route to the site. Regular aerial surveillance is being carried out using Dornier aircraft equipped with the MSS 6000 system to monitor any oil spillage," he added. Container ship capsized with hazardous cargo The 184-metre-long MSC ELSA III, en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi, began listing dangerously on Saturday, May 24, and eventually capsized and sank the next day, about 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi. It had reported a 26-degree starboard list and issued a distress call after taking on water. Live Events The vessel was carrying 640 containers, including 13 IMDG containers with hazardous chemicals and 12 containers of calcium carbide, a reactive substance used in fertiliser production and steelmaking. It was also laden with 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil, raising fears of a large-scale environmental crisis. Full crew rescued amid worsening conditions All 24 crew members aboard — including one Russian, 20 Filipinos, two Ukrainians, and one Georgian — were safely evacuated. The Indian Coast Guard rescued 21 crew members on May 24, while INS Sujata rescued the remaining three after the vessel had capsized. The Ministry of Defence stated the ship sank due to flooding and warned that the incident poses a threat to the 'sensitive marine ecosystem along Kerala's coast.' Statewide alert and emergency measures In response, the Kerala state government has declared a statewide emergency, with Chief Secretary A Jayathilak convening a high-level meeting. A coastal alert has been issued, particularly for districts along the Arabian Sea. Authorities have advised fishermen to remain ashore and warned the public not to approach or touch any oil slicks or containers that wash up. Some containers have already begun drifting to shore. A public advisory urges people to maintain a minimum distance of 200 metres from any suspicious materials and to contact emergency services via 112.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India tightens verification process of P&I cover of ships calling ports, ET Infra
Advt Advt By , ETInfra The Directorate General of Shipping, India's maritime regulator, has tightened the verification process for ensuring the authenticity and validity of the Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurance certificates, including confirmation of premium payments, for all ships calling Indian ports The move follows a few incidents wherein the P&I insurers declined to compensate pollution claims due to vessels possessing invalid P&I insurance certificates, which have been declared invalid by the underwriter for non-payment of premiums.'This scenario necessitates a rigorous verification process to ensure the validity and authenticity of P&I certificates,' D G Shipping wrote in a May 7 Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Ports, Anchorages and Offshore Facilities) Rules, 2012, which took effect from April 2012, makes it mandatory for all ships of 300 gross tonnage (GT) or more, entering into or sailing out of Indian ports and/or transiting Indian waters to hold a valid P&I insurance issued either by the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Clubs (IG Clubs) or by insurance companies authorised by the Central shipping, third-party liabilities arising from operating ships such as oil pollution, wreck removal, damage to port property, loss of life and personal injury to crew, passengers and others on board, cargo loss and damage are commonly referred to as protection and indemnity (P&I) maritime regulator has 'strongly advised' shipowners and operators to meticulously review their P&I coverage to ensure it adequately meets their specific operational needs and complies with all relevant domestic and international ship owners and operators have to ensure validity of the P&I insurance certificates, including Blue Card and Certificate of Insurance or Other Financial Security (CIOFS), in original, certified, or electronic form, in accordance with the statutory requirements, which shall be verifiable online, according to the D G Shipping notice These documents shall be submitted to the respective port authorities directly or using the Maritime Single Window (MSW) portal, prior to the vessel's expected arrival in Indian the port authorities of all major/other than major ports and/or maritime boards have been asked to verify the authenticity of the P&I insurance cover of foreign flagged vessels calling at Indian ports directly through the official website of the P&I insurer. This verification should be done through the IG Clubs online verification system or via the official website of the respective non-IG insurer, listed on the D G Shipping port authorities have to ensure that the certificate's validity covers the entire duration of the vessel's intended port the insurer's website is experiencing technical errors and/or further verification may be required, the port authorities can do it through the local correspondents (agents) of the P&I insurer. All P&I insurers are required to keep their local correspondents list updated on their official cases where a vessel's premium payments are deferred or not remitted, the P&I insurer's website must clearly state that the certificate is invalid or that the premium remains unpaid.'If the insurer does not correctly indicate the premium status, the P&I certificate shall be presumed valid, and the insurer cannot repudiate liability arising therefrom,' the D G Shipping wrote in the May 7 P&I insurance validity status displayed on the website shall clearly indicate that the coverage is effective for a minimum period of three months from the date of the vessel's entry into an Indian port, or from the annual (insurance) renewal date, which is ordinarily 20th February of each calendar year, whichever is applicable. In instances where this condition is not met, the P&I insurer's website must provide a specific remark detailing the status of coverage and other relevant information, the notice non-IG Club insurers have been given six months from May 7 to update their websites with the requisite port authorities shall rely only on these platforms for real-time and accurate verification of P&I certificates. While email-based verification shall remain available as a provisional measure until the insurer's official websites are operational, it will be discontinued after the specified timeline. Once the websites are operational, the links should be made available on the DGS website.'Any irregularities or suspicions concerning the authenticity or validity of the P&I insurance certificate, Blue Card, or CIOFS shall be reported to the Directorate General of Shipping without delay, and the concerned vessel shall not be permitted entry into Indian ports until such issue is resolved. If the vessel is already within Indian waters, it shall be directed to depart from the Indian waters without delay,' the notice added.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Shipping authority sounds warning bell
The Directorate General of Shipping has raised maritime security to MARSEC Level-2 , or 'heightened security', for all Indian ports, terminals, shipyards and Indian-flagged vessels, effective immediately, citing growing concerns over potential threats. #Operation Sindoor India-Pakistan Clash Live Updates| Missiles, shelling, and attacks — here's all that's happening Pakistani Air Force jet shot down in Pathankot by Indian Air Defence: Sources India on high alert: What's shut, who's on leave, and state-wise emergency measures This shift to MARSEC Level-2 of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code signals an elevated risk, requiring enhanced security measures. It is the mid-level of the maritime security system. The directive, issued on Thursday, referred to an April 24 advisory from the ministry of external affairs, which underlined the need for increased vigilance due to ongoing regional security concerns, including potential threats linked to India-Pakistan tensions . Ports across the country are conducting security checks on a daily basis in line with the MARSEC Level-2 alert, especially on the sensitive western coast, a senior port official said. "These checks include stricter access controls, vessel monitoring and screening of personnel and cargo," he said. "We are also stepping up cyber vigilance and running blackout drills to prepare for any eventuality." There are three MARSEC levels under the ISPS Code . Level 1 is the standard level with routine security measures in place. Level 2 is activated when there is a heightened risk of a security incident, requiring stricter checks and controls. Level 3 is the highest alert, used when a security threat is imminent or underway. Each level mandates a corresponding escalation in security protocols for ships and port facilities to safeguard maritime operations. The DG Shipping directive also requires all ports and terminals to conduct blackout tests and unannounced security drills to "test and reinforce preparedness" including to assess the "real-time response and coordination among security personnel". According to it, the chief information security officers of all the port facilities must review the security of IT and communications systems and take appropriate measures to prevent/mitigate the threats of cyberattacks. According to the DG Shipping, its directive must be complied with strictly and "any breach will be viewed seriously".
United News of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- United News of India
Maha: India bans Pak-flagged ships
Mumbai, May 3 (UNI) Amid the diplomatic stand-off between India and Pakistan post the Pahalgam terror attack on tourists, the Mumbai-headquartered Directorate General of Shipping has banned ships bearing flag of the neighbouring country to any of the Indian ports. Similarly, all Indian-flagged ships have been asked not to enter any port of Pakistan. The DG Shipping, through an order on Saturday, made the announcement. The restrictions were put in place 'with immediate effect' and 'till further order' to ensure safety of 'Indian assets, cargo and connected infrastructure, in public interest and for the interest of Indian shipping', the DGS order stated. '… in exercise of power conferred by Section 411 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 read with objectives as enshrined under Preamble of the said Act, keeping in view of the present situation, the following directions are hereby issued: A ship bearing the flag of Pakistan shall not be allowed to visit any Indian Port. An Indian flag ship shall not visit any Ports of Pakistan,' the DG Shipping order read. Section 411 of the Merchant Shipping Act empowers the DGS to issue directions to ships, for meeting the objective of national interest or the interest of Indian shipping. The Act deals with Indian flag ships anywhere in the world and foreign flag ships while in Indian waters 'to ensure safety of life at sea and safety of ships". UNI AAA SS
