NMPT: Ship Hits Jetty, Oil Spill Averted

Mangaloretoday News Network

Mangalore, November 3, 2018: A likely disaster was averted this morning with timely intervention by the NMPT authorities when the container ship ‘X Press Brahmaputra’ accidently hit the platform while berthing at Jetty No. 2. The ship bearing Singapore flag is believed to have arrived from Colombo early this morning and was trying to berth at cargo Jetty No. 2 in the harbour when it accidently hit the platform and developed a crack in its hull. This led to leakage of oil and the port authorities quickly swung into action to contain the oil spill.

Initially there was a scare that the incident might escalate into a major disaster, but fortunately, as the ship was not an oil container, the fears were laid to rest, according to Yatish Baikampady, CEO of Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project.

The leaked oil is suspected to be fuel or lubricant used in running the ship’s engines and equipment.  

Sources in the Indian Coast Guard, which is normally pressed into service to contain such disasters, said the oil spill was a minor leak and nothing to worry about. “Very limited clean oil measureable perhaps in liters has spilled. It is dry bulk berth and not an oil jetty. As a precautionary measure oil boom has been put around the vessel,” said S. S. Dasila, Commander, Coast Guard, Karnataka.

Containment boom is a temporary floating barrier used to contain an oil spill. This can be seen in the form of orange floats on the surface of the water around the ship, which will stop the fuel from spreading further.

NMPT CLARIFIES:

Vessel MV X- press Brahmaputra sustained damage to her port side hull today morning,while sailing out. The vessel was brought back to access the extend of damage. No major concerns as NMPT officials acted professionally in time to tackle the situation. The matter is under complete control.