VASCO: A Goan citizen’s forum, an NGO named Goa First has raised concerns about an alleged sick ship, Nu Shi Nalini, which has been anchored at MPT since July, which they allege is ‘a potential disaster waiting to happen’ at the Vasco port area, River Zuari and West Coast of India.
As per the complaint, which the NGO has filed to various authorities concerned, Goa First has stated that the sick vessel arrived at MPT, in July under the pretext of repairs and still continues to stay at the Vasco port.
Parshuram Sonurlekar, on behalf of the NGO has demanded that the government takes cognizance of the matter and acts immediately.
Sonurlekar said the vessel is allegedly carrying 3,000 metric tonnes of flammable liquid primarily of highly hazardous Naphtha.
The complaint states that the chemical tanker Nu Shi Nalini was loaded with Naphtha – a flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixture en-routed on a voyage from Mundra, India to Colombo, Sri Lanka and was deviated to OPL Cochin on June 13, 2018 to attend repairs while the vessel anchored for some technical repairs.
He alleged that an explosion was also reported in the engine room at the lower platform claiming the life of a crew member, which also resulted in total engine failure.
He added that the vessel had arrived at MPT on July 16, 2019 off Cochin Port following the fire incident on-board, with no crew on-board and loaded with 3,000 metric tonnes of Naphtha at Berth Number 8 and later anchorage at MPT Breakwaters Berth from July 17, 2019 till date.
Sonurlekar, in his letter, further claimed that the vessel anchored inside the territorial waters of MPT, stands unmanned.
He also warned about the vessel’s proximity to the shipping lane for the MPT and the coastal populace coupled with the likelihood of explosion due to the leakage of volatile and highly inflammable cargo.
“We pray to the authorities to take cognizance of this matter and conduct an investigation in this matter and take immediate action on this matter,” Sonurlekar added.
When the Mormugao Port Trust Chairman Dr E Ramesh Kumar was asked about the efforts being made, to move this vessel from the existing place, he said that the matter is in the High Court and that steps will be taken by the MPT as per the directives and decision given by the Court.
