Barge to unload containers from beleaguered ship from Saturday

MUMBAI - A barge has arrived from Dhabol port in Gujarat with equipment to start unloading containers from the deck of the beleagured Panamanian ship MSC Chitra from Saturday, a maritime authority said here Thursday.

The containers continue to be on the deck of the ship in a precarious condition after it collided with a St. Kitts’ cargo carrier MV Khalijia-III outside Mumbai harbour Aug. 7.

The barge is being prepared with cranes and other equipment to position it near the MSC Chitra and start the work of unloading the deck of the containers.

The ongoing survey of the navigation channel by the Indian Navy has also revealed eight sunken containers, of which one is in the main channel. It has been marked and the concerned authorities have been advised to issue suitable navigational warnings to vessels sailing in the area.

The navy has also completed the first round of survey of half of all accessible port waters, around 75 square kms, after the ship collision.

The remaining area has not been surveyed as it is congested with fishing nets and the concerned authorities have been advised to clear the area in a phased manner.

Efforts are also on to meet the schedules of the commercial ferry operations due to start Sep. 1, in time for the 10-day Ganesh festival.

The survey of the ferry routes from Gateway of India to Mandwa, Elephanta Island and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and from Ferry Wharf to Rewas and Mora has been completed while that for Rewas-Karanja and Belapur-Elephanta Island is currently underway.

Meanwhile, till date, the number of vessels piloted out of Mumbai Port Trust and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust has gone up to 205 and those brought in to 204.

Both the ports have also resumed night shipping activities for vessels drawing draft upto nine metres and no oil oil tankers are now awaiting entry to the port.