On 7th Aug, Saturday, at 0950 hours (IST) MSC Chitra collided with M.V. Khalijia –III in the vicinity of the navigable channel leading to the Nhava Sheva Port. This has resulted in grounding of the Vessel and heavy tilting causing containers to fall overboard.
The Mumbai Port Trust has closed down its navigational channel and ceased all Vessel movement to and from the port until further notice. Traffic has been suspended at the Mumbai Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust harbour since Sunday following a collision between two ships, which resulted in a massive oil spill off the coast. MSC Chitra was leaving Jawaharlal Port Trust when it collided with MV Khalijia-III about five nautical miles from the shores. One of the two cargo ships, carrying oil containers completely tilted spewing oil into the Arabian Sea.
Efforts are on to control the situation and two coastguard ships— Sangram and Sankalp have also been pressed into action. Fishing associations have also been asked to halt fishing temporarily till the
oil spill around the area of collision is cleared. A team of salvage experts have arrived from Holland Sunday night to assist the coastguards in containing the spill.
The captains of MV Khalijia-III and MSC Chitra will be questioned even as traffic remains suspended at the harbour. A case has also been registered against the two captains. Coastguard aircraft are also helping in containing the oil spill along with tugs of Reliance, ONGC and JNPT. Chemical dispersants are being used to clear the oil spills. Over 200 cargo containers have also fallen off into the sea due to the collision.
Source: News @ Money Control / Advisory from Maersk, 09 August 2010