The collision of two merchant vessels on Saturday morning has resulted in 80-110 tonnes of fuel spilling into the Arabian Sea. MSC Chitra, the vessel that ruptured in the impact, was carrying 2,000 tonnes of fuel. The operations of India’s busiest port — Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust — were shut Sunday and this will continue Monday too. It will reopen only after a review.
A Coast Guard officer said around two-three tonnes of fuel was leaking every hour, including furnace fuel and hydraulic oil.
The oil has spread about two nautical miles around MSC Chitra.
Due to rough weather, choppy sea and winds, the oil is breaking into small patches and floating elsewhere. Fishermen and locals reported that patches of oil are visible from the coast, but had not yet reached it.
“The containment and recovery of spilled oil is not feasible at present due to the rocky surface and prevailing weather and tidal conditions,” said Capt. Manohar Nambiar, defence PRO in Mumbai.
After the collision, MSC Chitra tilted around 25-30 degrees, and further to 70 degrees Sunday evening. “The ship can tilt upto 90 degrees, but won’t sink completely. Even if it sinks, its upper portion would be visible,” a source said. “But a part of the ship has already touched the sea bed.”