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The Hindu
5 days ago
- The Hindu
Delay in filing FIR in shipwreck case will hurt State's interest, says maritime law expert
Delay in registering an FIR in connection with the sinking of the container vessel MSC ELSA 3 will harm the interests of the State, maritime law expert V.J. Mathew has said. Mr. Mathew, vice-president of the Indian Maritime Law Association and former chairman of the Kerala Maritime Board, says for any meaningful investigation to take place into the accident, the police have to first register an FIR. According to him, the question of jurisdiction does not arise in this case as a notification issued by the Union government in June 2016 gives one police station in each coastal State jurisdiction extending to the exclusive economic zone (200 nautical miles) for investigating offences. The Fort Kochi coastal police station is the designated station for Kerala and it can register an FIR in this instance, he told The Hindu. Relevant Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, dealing with rash and negligent navigation and acts endangering life and personal safety, the Environmental Protection Act, and the Merchant Shipping Act can be invoked in this instance. While the State government has designated the shipwreck a State-specific disaster considering its socio-economic and ecological implications, Mr. Mathew says that, in reality, all costs on account of the accident and its consequences must be recovered from the owner of the vessel. Such expenses will include the cost of organising clean-ups, removal of the drifting and beached containers, and the compensation to fishers whose livelihood has been affected. The Navy and the Coast Guard also have spent public money on the rescue effort which has to be recovered, he says. 'It is not a natural disaster. The Mercantile Marine Department has pointed to technical and operational defects,' he pointed out. He also underlined the need to make public the cargo manifest of the vessel in the interests of transparency and public safety.
New Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
UAE-bound vessel MV Sirrah resumes voyage following emergency repairs
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A UAE-bound cargo vessel stranded off the coast of Vizhinjam managed to set sail just hours before the Coast Guard's deadline on Monday. The bulk carrier MV Sirrah, registered under the flag of St. Kitts & Nevis, departed for Khorfakkan Port in the UAE at 2.30 am on Monday. Its departure was made possible after a critical 900-kg engine compressor was sourced from Mumbai and delivered with the support of Waterline Shipping & Logistics Pvt. Ltd., a Thiruvananthapuram-based shipping agency, in coordination with the Kerala Maritime Board. The vessel, which had originally set off from Chennai, encountered technical issues and was forced to anchor about seven nautical miles from Vizhinjam port. 'The ship's owners acted swiftly to procure the required spare parts, but due to the prevailing war-like situation, the transport vehicle carrying the equipment was delayed at multiple checkpoints for security inspections,' said Manoj Nair, managing director and CEO of Waterline Shipping & Logistics Pvt. Ltd. Once cleared by Customs, the spare parts were ferried to the vessel using Dhwani, a tug operated by the Kerala Maritime Board.
The Hindu
11-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Spares transferred to bulk carrier stranded off Vizhinjam
Spare parts were finally transferred on Sunday morning to a bulk carrier that has been stranded off Vizhinjam since May 7 due to engine trouble. A Kerala Maritime Board tug successfully transferred the spares to MV Sirrah, which was awaiting them at the outer anchorage at Vizhinjam. The entire operation was coordinated by Thiruvananthapuram-based shipping agency, Waterline Shipping and Logistics Pvt. Ltd., appointed by the vessel's owners. Captain Anwar Gammal, Master of MV Sirrah, had stated that the vessel would depart the anchorage within four to six hours of rectifying the defect, Manoj Nair, chief executive officer, Waterline Shipping and Logistics Pvt. Ltd., said in a statement. MV Sirrah, which has several Indian crew on board, had encountered engine trouble on its way from Chennai to the United Arab Emirates. It contacted the Vizhinjam port authorities on the matter on May 7. To restore operational capability, essential engine spares were urgently required. The owners of the vessel had arranged for the spares to be transported to Vizhinjam, but the vehicle was delayed at check points. In the meantime, the Coast Guard had boarded the vessel and carried out an inspection given the tensions prevailing along the Indo-Pak border. It confirmed that there were no suspicious elements or cargo on board. The spares finally reached Vizhinjam around midnight on Saturday. Capt. Gammal has extended his appreciation to the port authorities, Customs department, Immigration department, and the Indian Coast Guard for their seamless coordination and timely support, Mr. Manoj Nair said.
The Hindu
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Project to operate passenger ships to Gulf from Kerala runs into rough weather
Kerala's attempt to launch a passenger ship service to the Gulf countries from the State has run into rough weather, as the company that evinced interest in the project has sought time to acquire vessels suited for the service for over a year. The State had been trying to start passenger cruise ship services to the UAE to transport large numbers of overseas travellers, especially during the festive season, to minimise the impact of the predatory pricing of the airlines operating in the sector. As per the bid floated by the Kerala Maritime Board (KMB), the nodal agency of the project on March 7, 2024 two companies had evinced interest in the project — for 'operation of passenger ships/cruises/vessels connecting West Asia/ GCC with Kerala' utilising the port infrastructure in Kerala. Subsequently, a meeting was also held on August 6, 2024, between KMB and the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) with the presence of two prospective bidders to discuss the technical aspects of the project. However, the interested bidders are yet to acquire suitable vessels for the service, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Speaking to The Hindu, N.S. Pillai, chairman of the KMB, said the talks with a company named White Shipping based in Chennai were hopeful, and the shipping company has sought time to acquire a ship for the project. However, the company has not yet communicated to the KMB on the status of their search for ships, said Mr. Pillai. The KMB's role will be to provide berthing and passenger terminal facilities, along with the infrastructure essential for operations – upon payment of necessary charges. The operator should provide the cruise/passenger ship service, viz., all aspects of acquisition of vessels or leasing, operations including staffing, safety, vessel maintenance, logistics and marketing, etc. Hopeful of comeback Though the project has been delayed, the KMB is hopeful that it could be brought back on track, taking account of the huge diaspora from the State, especially in the UAE, which alone is has around 19 lakh Keralites. The cruise ship services will blend affordable travel along with a luxury cruise experience accompanied by entertainment facilities onboard the ship — in a bid to woo blue-collar workers and premium cruise travellers. The State government had earlier taken the initiative to press in charter flights to bring expats back to Kerala during the festive season and sought permission from the Centre to operate chartered flights between the UAE and India, adhering to the stipulated CAR (Civil Aviation Requirements) of 30 days under ITP (International Travel Permits) provisions. However, after a few rounds of discussions with airlines operating in the sector, the project hit an air pocket.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
After Vizhinjam, Kerala govt now looks to improve minor ports
T'puram: With the inauguration of Vizhinjam International Seaport , the state govt has started work to improve and connect the waterways and the minor ports in the state, including Kollam, to move cargo from the port. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now When the logistics park at the Vizhinjam port is established, cargo that arrives in containers from abroad will be packed and sent by road, rail, and also by sea to the smaller ports. All options for connectivity to interior parts of the state are being explored. The govt is now trying to improve 17 ports, including Ponnani and Kollam, in the coming months. Kerala Maritime Board has forwarded a proposal to the Union ministry of ports, shipping and waterways for the construction of a multi-purpose berth (MPB) at Ponnani at a total cost of Rs 20 crore for partial assistance under the central govt's Sagarmala scheme. Keeping in view the importance of regional connectivity, cruise tourism potential, and economic growth, the govt of Kerala has informed that they are exploring the scope to develop the Ponnani port on a PPP (public-private partnership) model, said a statement from the Union govt. They have called an expression of interest (EoI) from private service providers to begin cruise shipping which will connect various non-major ports as well as ports of neighbouring states. Ports minister VN Vasavan said that the govt is exploring all kinds of opportunities to ensure that cargo can be moved from Vizhinjam to other ports via sea, road, or rail. He said that PPP model or funding under the Sagarmala program will be explored to develop the ports. The state govt is also looking at opportunities to improve the waterways from Thiruvananthapuram to the northern parts of the state so that the cargo repackaged from logistics parks at Vizhinjam can be moved to other parts of the state via water, in addition to rail and road. With the expected arrival of a high volume of container ships at Vizhinjam, the govt is looking to encourage cruise tourism at other ports.
