DG Shipping institutes probe in collision of two ships off Kamrajar Harbour

04 February, New Delhi

The Directorate General of Shipping has instituted a statutory inquiry under the Merchant Shipping Act to ascertain the causes and contributory factors that led to the collision of two ships off Kamrajar Harbour.

Both the ships have been restrained from leaving the Port.
The DG Shipping is also holding discussions with owners of the ships and the mechanism of distribution of compensation and payment of claims by the insurers will be shortly in place, a statement said here Saturday.

The Government is taking all the measures to manage the situation. Authorities involved in the operations are confident that the situation is under control and the entire cleaning up operation will be completed in a couple of days.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Shipping, P Radhakrishnan, is in Chennai to take stock of the situation.

Two vessels — M T BW Maple and M T Dawn Kanchipuram while crossing each other collided at on January 28, outside the Kamrajar Harbour.

The oil tanker, M T Dawn Kanchipuram, which was carrying 32813 tonnes of POL, suffered a rupture which led to engine oil spill. There was no casualty or injury to the crew members.

Around 65 percent of sludge have been removed besides super suckers had removed 54 tonnes which contained 70 percent water, till February 2.

Yesterday, about 21.1 tonnes of additional sludge was removed from Ernavoor. More than 90 percent of the work has been completed and most of the residual work is expected to be completed in a couple of days, the statement said.