Following the collision between the MV Khalijia-III and the MSC Chitra on August 7 off the Mumbai coast, Shipping Minister G K Vasan on Thursday oversaw the salvage operations. The minister spoke to Sanjay Jog on the progress of the operations. Edited excerpts:
Can you please let us know what had resulted into the collision?
Prima facie, the accident appears to be due to communication and navigation problems. But, I do not want to preempt the statutory inquiry by the Directorate General of Shipping into the cause of accident. The inquiry is likely to be completed in a month.
When will the ports – Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port – be fully operational?
Our objective is to restore normalcy and for that the central and state government agencies including the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Mumbai Port Trust and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and Directorate General of Shipping have been working in full coordination. The state environment department and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has also contributed to the efforts.
Has there been any progress in containing oil spill and clearing the channel of the containers that fell off the ship?
Out of the 250 containers which fell of the ship, 26 containers have been retrieved and secured. The operation is expected to speed up. The listing of the ship has reduced to about 50-60 degree. This will ensure that there will be no more oil spill.
How is the weather affecting salvage operations?
Till August 31 we expect foul weather. Despite such rough weather, the Coast Guard is coordinating oil pollution mitigation measures. For measures at land, they are coordinating with MPCB and the district administration. International Tankers Oil Pollution Fund (ITOPF) experts have reached Mumbai to assist the Coast Guard.
