Movement of goods began along the navigational channel in the Mumbai harbour, which opened partially on Thursday after a five-day shutdown, Union Shipping Minister G. K. Vasan told a press conference here.
“We were able to resume partial movement of traffic in the Mumbai port. The survey done by the Navy on Wednesday revealed the feasibility of convoy-based navigation,” he said.
The survey was necessitated by Panamanian cargo ships — MSC Chitra and m.v. Khalijia-III — colliding off the Mumbai coast, triggering an oil spill, on August 7.
On Thursday, seven vessels — five from the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) and two from the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) — were escorted out of the harbour and six — three to JNPT and three to MbPT — were escorted in, the Defence Ministry said.
Operation Pathfinder
Termed “Operation Pathfinder,” the naval escort effort “saw the participation of four ships of the Indian Navy, two Chetak helicopters and three specialised survey boats. The channel, which was rendered dangerous for navigation by the presence of numerous floating and sunken containers, was surveyed continuously for three days prior to undertaking the operation. The escort was successfully completed at 3 p.m. on [Thursday],” a Defence note stated.
With the opening of the channel, fears of an impending fuel crisis dwindled. “We want to assure the government of Maharashtra that there would be no shortage of petroleum products. Sufficient crude is being pumped in from Bombay High,” Petroleum Secretary S. Sundareshan said.
On Thursday, Mr. Vasan reviewed the salvage operations and met Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, and Union Petroleum Minister Murli Deora.
“The falling of containers has been reduced; only one container fell today [ Thursday]. Twenty-six of them were retrieved and secured. The listing of the ship [MSC Chitra] has also been reduced to 50 to 60 degrees. Normality would be restored in the next two days. [The priority is to see] how early we can start the trade,” Mr. Vasan said.
Asked about a letter the State Ports Minister had sent to the Shipping Ministry about shifting the MbPT outside Mumbai, Mr. Vasan said there was no communication gap between the ministries. Rahul Asthana, Chairman, MbPT, said it was agreed that the port would not handle hazardous cargo.
To questions about the reason for the accident and status of the investigation, Satish Agnihotri, Director-General of Shipping, said that prima facie, “communication and navigational problems” led to the disaster. “The inquiry officers have to take depositions, estimate losses, look at data recorder and look at logs on ships.” A preliminary inquiry revealed that both ports were following adequate safety measures.
Following the collision between the MV Khalijia-III and the MSC Chitra on August 7 off the Mumbai coast, Shipping Minister G K Vasan on Thursday oversaw the salvage operations. The minister spoke to Sanjay Jog on the progress of the operations. Edited excerpts:
Can you please let us know what had resulted into the collision?
Prima facie, the accident appears to be due to communication and navigation problems. But, I do not want to preempt the statutory inquiry by the Directorate General of Shipping into the cause of accident. The inquiry is likely to be completed in a month.
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When will the ports – Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port – be fully operational?
Our objective is to restore normalcy and for that the central and state government agencies including the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Mumbai Port Trust and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and Directorate General of Shipping have been working in full coordination. The state environment department and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has also contributed to the efforts.
Has there been any progress in containing oil spill and clearing the channel of the containers that fell off the ship?
Out of the 250 containers which fell of the ship, 26 containers have been retrieved and secured. The operation is expected to speed up. The listing of the ship has reduced to about 50-60 degree. This will ensure that there will be no more oil spill.
How is the weather affecting salvage operations?
Till August 31 we expect foul weather. Despite such rough weather, the Coast Guard is coordinating oil pollution mitigation measures. For measures at land, they are coordinating with MPCB and the district administration. International Tankers Oil Pollution Fund (ITOPF) experts have reached Mumbai to assist the Coast Guard.
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