Chennai oil spill: DG Shipping institutes inquiry

Directorate General (DG) 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 along the coastline of Chennai and Ennore.

Both the ships have been restrained from leaving the Port.

DG Shipping is also holding discussions with the owners of the ships and the mechanism of distribution of compensation and payment of claims by the insurers will be shortly in place.

The P&I insurers of M.T. DAWN KANCHIPURAM are in the process of establishing a local 'Claims Desk' and specifying the procedures for submitting and handling claims. The representative from the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited (a specialised international agency on 'Oil Spill Response' - arranged by the owner/P&I insurers of M.T. DAWN KANCHIPURAM is already in Chennai.

Two vessels namely, M.T. BW MAPLE and M.T. DAWN KANCHIPURAM, while crossing each other collided 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.

Kamarajar Port had immediately deployed oil boom around the vessel after bringing it to a safe location to contain seepage if any. The situation was closely monitored by top officials of the Port from the time of accident and the required assistance was rendered to both vessels.

As soon as the oil leak was tracked, the Coast Guard started mobilising equipment and manpower for clean-up at various locations and coordinated these operations. A massive clean-up operation was launched in Tiruvallur, Chennai and Kancheepuram Districts by engaging more than 2,000 persons at various sites including Ernavur, Chennai Fishing Harbour, Marine Beach, Besant Nagar, Kottivakkam, Palavakkam, Neelankarai and Injambakkam beaches.

The Coast Guard has been coordinating the cleaning operations jointly with personnel from the Chennai Port and Kamarajar Port, the State Government and its agencies, Indian Oil Corporation, NGOs, Cadet Trainees from maritime educational institutions, student volunteers and fishermen. Groups were formed and cleaning work was undertaken at different places of the shoreline.

The total quantity of sludge which was removed till February 2 was 65 tonnes.