MV Thalassa Patris, 370-meter long container ship own by Evergreen Line interrupted her voyage from Singapore to Europe via Suez in the Lacadive sea north of Maldives, and sailed to Colombo, when the crew members discovered a cargo container onboard emitting smoke after passing Sri Lanka on September 30.
The agent of the ship Evergreen Shipping Agency Lanka (Pvt) Ltd (Hemas Group) informed the Harbor Master (HM) Capt. Nirmal Silva of the danger in sailing onwards. HM discussed the situation with the Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Capt. Nihal Keppetipola.
After thoroughly checking the type of cargo and the stowage plan of the ship it was decided to turn around the vessel and bring it to Colombo anchorage for inspections. P & I Club surveyors boarded the vessel outer harbor and it was confirmed safe to bring in the ship into the harbor for discharging the leaking dangerous cargo container.
“The encouragement given by the Minister of Ports and Shipping Rohitha Abeygunawardena in this regard was immense” said the Chairman.
“With the assistance of the SLPA officers, the fire brigade and the technical capabilities of SLPA, once again the Port of Colombo proved that Sri Lanka has the expertise and the capacity to assist vessels in such emergencies which is only possible if the local agent notifies SLPA of the urgency well in advance,” the Port Authority said.
Later, the vessel continued on her voyage on 03rd October 2021 after discharging the leaky container.
In May this year a leaky container containing hazardous material on board the Singapore registered containership MV X-Press Pearl caused a fire which gutted the ship and its cargo completely while anchored at 9.5 km in the seas off Colombo port.
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