Latest news with #VeryLowSulphurFuelOil
The Hindu
2 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Kerala govt. bans fishing within 20-nautical mile radius of shipwreck, announces compensation for fishers
The Kerala government has banned fishing within a 20-nautical-mile radius of the capsized Liberian-flagged container ship which sank off the Kerala coast on May 25. The State would give 6 kg of free rice and ₹1,000 a month to each affected fisher families in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam districts. At a press conference, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan quashed speculation that fish caught off the coast of Kerala was inedible. He said the shipwreck happened 14.6 miles off the Thottapally Spillway in the Alappuzha district. He said the containers carrying the highly flammable calcium carbide, stowed away in the ship's cargo hold, remained submerged and posed no immediate threat. A maritime emergency vessel had set sail from Puducherry for the shipwreck site. The experts on board would use the latest underwater surveillance technology to map the wreck geospatially and designate the marine location using anchored floats. They would also use floating booms to contain any oil spill from the vessel. He said the salvage operation would focus on draining the Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) stored in the ship's double hull expeditiously to prevent spillage. After the monsoons, the company would remove the wreck from Kerala's jurisdictional waters. Mr. Vijayan said the ship also transported fruits, rubber, wooden beams, compounds, small plastic pellets (nurdles) and textiles. He warned fishers against salvaging any floating detritus from the wreck. He asked them to report it to the authorities instead. Cleaning operations Mr. Vijayan said piles of microplastics from the capsized ship had run ashore—contaminating the Thiruvananthapuram's shoreline. The government had initiated cleaning operations. Enumerating loss The Chief Minister stated that he had spoken to the Director General of Shipping, who agreed to spare the services of Deputy Nautical Officer Captain Ashok Joseph, a Keralite, to assist the State in enumerating the loss, including environmental damage and lost working days for fishers, caused by the shipwreck. He said Captain Joseph would work with the State government to collect evidence to claim damages from the shipping company under maritime laws. Mr. Vijayan said the shipwreck had also significantly impacted Kerala's beach and backwater tourism sectors. The Protection and Indemnity Insurance Agency has opened a special desk for processing shipwreck-related claims in Kochi. He said Captain Joseph was the nodal officer and had experience working with other State governments to file maritime compensation claims. Mr. Vijayan said the government would hand over 54 containers which washed ashore in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha districts to the Customs department. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) had initiated aerial drone surveys to scan the State's beaches for shipwreck detritus. Hundreds of volunteers were working to clean the beaches of microplastics from the shipwreck.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Mechanical failure in ballast tank led to cargo vessel capsize: DG Shipping
K ochi: A preliminary probe by the Directorate General of Shipping has found that a mechanical failure led to the sinking of the Liberian cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3 off Kochi on Sunday. A detailed investigation is underway to determine the exact cause. Director General of Shipping Shyam Jagannathan and chief surveyor Ajithkumar Sukumaran told reporters on Wednesday that the preliminary probe showed a technical failure in the ballast tank that led to the accident. The valves in the tank did not function properly, leading to a failure in the ship's electrical system and causing it to list, they said. The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is cooperating with the investigation, and it is unclear how long the investigation procedures will take, the officials said. The ship was operating in compliance with the regulations of the International Maritime Organization, and its insurance documentation was valid. They said the chief officer on the ship was new, and it would be investigated if his lack of experience also contributed to the accident. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ¡Trading con IA en Chile ayuda a usuarios a obtener ganancias potenciales! Mainhubfb Más información Undo The voyage data recorder, which contains information like the ship's speed, direction, conversations among crew members, and communications with other ships, will be retrieved to obtain more details about the accident, they said. The Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), a statutory authority under DG Shipping, informed that there was no large-scale oil spill from the sunken vessel and the environmental threat it posed was being actively mitigated. Nautical advisor Capt Abul Kalam Azad and MMD Kochi principal officer Senthil Kumar, who also addressed the news conference, confirmed that the ship was carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous material—calcium carbide and rubber chemicals, besides 367.1 tonnes of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) and 84.44 tonnes of marine diesel fuel. The team said the oil recovery operation would be completed by July 3. Azad said oil recovery from the sunken vessel, retrieval of drifting containers and removal of beached containers would be their priority. A multi-beam sonar survey has been initiated to locate and assess the wreckage of the ship, and experts have planned capping of venting points. As many as 50 beached containers were identified by Wednesday, and the priority is to recover all of them within the next 48 hours. None of these containers contained hazardous material, and they were placed on the ship's deck, they said. Hazardous materials are present in 13 containers; 12 of these contain calcium carbide while one contains rubber chemicals. Of the 13, eight were inside the ship. The remaining five could be either on the ship's deck or on the seabed near the ship, they said. The officials said over 100 containers were reported to have fallen into the sea. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has deployed ships and aircraft for surveillance, and dispersants were being used under the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan. An onsite team in Kochi continues to monitor and manage pollution risks. High-range drones and precision scanning equipment are being used to detect and contain oil spills. A total of 108 personnel have been deployed for shoreline clean-up and container retrieval operations. In addition to these, 38 personnel have been deployed for emergency response in Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha and Kollam. These teams will work in coordination with the district disaster management authorities and district collectors. The shipping company has been instructed to establish a damage and liability claim desk to address the losses and liabilities related to the shipwreck.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Kerala on alert after Kochi shipwreck: How harmful is the calcium carbide, major oil spillage?
A Liberian vessel carrying 640 containers — including 13 with hazardous materials — sank off the Kochi coast on Sunday, triggering a major oil spill. All 24 crew members were safely rescued after the ship developed a severe tilt on Saturday, officials said. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has issued a warning to the public, advising against touching any containers or oil that may wash up on shore. The leaked fuel is drifting at approximately three km/h, raising concerns about its potential impact along the Kerala coastline. In response, the state government has issued a statewide alert and advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is actively working to contain the spill and has intensified its pollution response efforts. Highlighting the ecological and economic significance of Kerala's biodiverse and tourist-heavy coast, the ICG said it is coordinating closely with state authorities to address all possible outcomes. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), leading the pollution response efforts, reported that the sunken vessel was carrying 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil, along with containers holding hazardous substances such as calcium carbide — a chemical that reacts dangerously with seawater to release highly flammable acetylene gas. 'Liberian container vessel MSC ELSA 3 (IMO NO. 9123221) sank off the Kochi coast at around 0750 hrs today on May 25, 2025, due to flooding... The vessel went down with 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous cargo and 12 containing calcium carbide. It was also loaded with 84.44 MT of diesel and 367.1 MT of furnace oil,' the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. The Coast Guard confirmed that the vessel was also carrying Marine Gas Oil (MGO) and Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO). Following a distress call on Saturday, when the ship developed a critical 26-degree tilt nearly 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, the ICG deployed ships and aircraft to carry out rescue operations. The KSDMA has also warned of the possibility of oil films appearing on coastal waters and urged the public to alert the police if they see any containers or signs of oil on the beaches. Calcium carbide, or calcium acetylide (CaC₂), is a colourless solid formed by heating lime and coke together at temperatures around 2000°C in an electric furnace. It's mainly used to generate acetylene gas, a key ingredient in producing various industrial organic chemicals. Additionally, it's often used to artificially ripen fruits, especially in regions where modern ripening technologies are less accessible, according to TWYH. When calcium carbide comes into contact with water, it triggers a rapid and intense chemical reaction. This reaction produces acetylene gas and calcium hydroxide and releases a significant amount of heat. Because acetylene is a highly flammable gas, this reaction can be dangerous, particularly in settings where large volumes of calcium carbide are stored or handled. The reaction between calcium carbide and water releases calcium hydroxide, which increases the water's alkalinity. This rise in pH can disturb aquatic ecosystems by affecting the health, reproduction, and survival of aquatic species. Moreover, the production of acetylene gas during this reaction can degrade water quality and pose environmental hazards—especially concerning if it contaminates water sources used for drinking or farming. The situation escalated on May 24 when MSC ELSA 3, traveling from Vizhinjam to Kochi, began to tilt—developing a 26-degree 'starboard list' around 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, according to officials. As the ship lost stability, a distress signal was issued, prompting an immediate response by the Indian Coast Guard's Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) in Kochi. 'An ICG Dornier aircraft was deployed for aerial surveillance, spotting two life rafts with survivors. ICG patrol ships and merchant vessels MV Han Yi and MSC Silver 2 were also diverted to assist, in line with global search and rescue protocols,' the defence ministry said. 'However, the vessel's condition deteriorated overnight and it capsized on May 25. The three crew members were forced to abandon the ship and were rescued by INS Sujata,' the ministry said.
News18
24-05-2025
- General
- News18
Low Sulphur Fuel Leak Off Kerala Coast After Ship Tilts, Public Urged To Stay Away
Last Updated: The vessel was carrying Marine Gas Oil (MGO) and Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), both of which pose environmental risks if spilled into the sea The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) on Saturday issued a public warning after dangerous cargo, including oil and containers, fell into the Arabian Sea off the Kerala coast. The cargo is believed to have come from a container vessel that developed a serious tilt and is currently under rescue and salvage operations. KSDMA member secretary Sekhar Kuriakose, in a voice note shared with media, said the information about the fallen cargo was received from the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). He warned the public not to go near or touch any containers or materials that may wash up on shore, and instead, report such sightings immediately to the police. 'There is a chance the cargo, including containers and oil, will wash ashore. The public, if they see such cargo, should not go near it or touch it and should inform the police immediately," Kuriakose said. He also said that there is a possibility of oil films forming along certain coastal areas due to the spill. The Coast Guard has confirmed that the vessel was carrying Marine Gas Oil (MGO) and Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), both of which pose environmental risks if spilled into the sea. The vessel in question is MSC ELSA 3, a Liberia-flagged container ship that developed a dangerous list (tilt) of 26 degrees about 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi. In a post on X, the Indian Coast Guard said it received a distress alert from the vessel and immediately began rescue and monitoring operations. According to the ICG, the vessel had departed from Vizhinjam Port on 23 May and was en route to Kochi, with an expected arrival on 24 May. Of the 24 crew members onboard, 21 have been safely rescued so far. To support the ongoing evacuation, Indian Coast Guard aircraft have dropped additional liferafts near the listing vessel. 'DG Shipping, in coordination with #ICG, has issued urgent directives to the ship's managers to initiate salvage operations to stabilize the vessel and avert further risks," the ICG stated. The Coast Guard further added that the rescue ships remain in the area, and aircraft are continuing to monitor the situation closely. 'ICG continues to closely monitor the situation to ensure the safety of the crew and to prevent any environmental damages," it added. (With inputs from agencies) First Published:
Trade Arabia
16-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
AD Ports hosts first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering at Khalifa Port
AD Ports Group, a leading global enabler of trade, transport and logistics, recently hosted its first ship-to-ship (STS) liquified natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation at its flagship deep-water Khalifa Port. This move reinforces Abu Dhabi's position as a key hub for alternative marine fuels and sustainable maritime solutions, said a statement. The STS bunkering was part of a simultaneous operation, in which the container vessel MSC Thais - berthed at Abu Dhabi Terminals, received LNG fuel from the dedicated LNG bunker vessel Green Zeebrugge, supplied by marine fuels provider Monjasa. The operation demonstrated the concurrent transfer of LNG and cargo, in addition to highlighting AD Ports Group's ability to integrate complex and efficient services into its port infrastructure and operations, whilst facilitating access to lower carbon fuels, which support both the industry and global environmental objectives. Captain Saif Al Mheiri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Maritime and Chief Sustainability Officer at AD Ports Group, said: 'By adhering to the highest safety and environmental standards, AD Ports Group and Monjasa are ensuring that shipowners have reliable access to a diversified fuel mix that supports their decarbonisation objectives. AD Ports Group will continue to explore and implement forward-looking solutions that drive progress toward global sustainability goals.' Liquified natural gas offers reduced greenhouse gas emissions and significantly less sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter emissions compared to traditional marine fuels. AD Ports Group and Monjasa will continue expanding LNG bunkering services across the group's commercial ports in Abu Dhabi, including cruise vessels at Zayed Port, while offering a comprehensive fuel portfolio that includes Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), Marine Gas Oil (MGO), and High-Sulfur Fuel Oil (HSFO), it said.
