International specialists have been deployed to assist Sri Lanka comprise a possible oil leak from a burnt-out container ship partially sunk off Colombo, the ship’s operator mentioned Friday.
Representatives from the International Tankers Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) and Oil Spill Response (OSR) have been onshore monitoring the MV X-Press Pearl, X-Press Feeders mentioned.
“They proceed to coordinate with MEPA (Marine Environment Protection Authority) and the Sri Lankan navy on a longtime plan to take care of any potential spill of oil and different pollution,” the company said.
Its chief executive, Shmuel Yoskovitz, apologised to Sri Lanka for the disaster, which saw the ship burn for 13 days and inundated the island’s beaches with huge amounts of plastic pellets.
“I’d like to express my deep regrets and apologies to the Sri Lankan people for the harm this incident has caused to the livelihood and to the environment of Sri Lanka,” Yoskovitz instructed Channel News Asia.
With the ship’s stern now on the ocean mattress and the bow slowly sinking, environmentalists concern an oil leak may trigger even higher degradation to marine life.
Choppy seas and poor visibility prevented navy divers from checking the hull for a second day Friday, Sri Lanka navy spokesperson Indika de Silva instructed AFP.
He mentioned a crew reached the sinking vessel and made a cursory inspection on Thursday, however couldn’t perform their mission due to poor visibility.
Meanwhile, the MEPA has positioned oil dispersants and skimmers ought to the vessel leak its 350 tonnes of gasoline oil on board.
An Indian coastguard vessel within the space has tools to take care of any oil slick, in response to the Sri Lankan navy, which has requested help with the operation.
Sri Lanka’s Harbour Master Nirmal Silva mentioned Thursday that no oil had leaked to this point.
“Looking on the method the ship burnt, skilled opinion is that bunker oil could have burnt out, however we’re getting ready for the worst-case state of affairs,” Silva mentioned.
The vessel was carrying 81 containers of “dangerous cargo” together with acids and lead ingots.
The escape of microplastic granules from the ship’s cargo has already compelled a fishing ban and prompted concern for the marine surroundings in addition to the native economic system.
Sri Lankan authorities imagine the fireplace was brought on by a nitric acid leak which the crew apparently knew about 9 days earlier than the blaze began.
Police mentioned three officers from the ship — two Russians and an Indian — had been questioned and their passports impounded.
The Singapore-registered ship was heading to Colombo from India. Its 25 crew members have been evacuated final week. Two suffered minor accidents.
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