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The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Minister of Ports and Shipping, arrived at the Port of Colombo this morning to inspect the situation.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has responded immediately to douse the fire that erupted on board of ‘X-Press Peral’, a feeder vessel, last evening, 20 May 2021. SLPA tugboat along with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) engaged in the operation. The container ship was in anchorage about 9.5 nautical miles northwest of Colombo port when the incident was reported.
The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Minister of Ports and Shipping, arrived at the Port of Colombo this morning to inspect the situation. The Minister made a special statement on the situation. SLPA Harbor Master Mr Nirmal Silva also spoke about the incident. Watch the video below for more information;
The feeder vessel which is registered under the flag of Singapore has carried 1486 containers with 25 tons of Nitric Acid, several other chemicals and cosmetics from the port of Hazira, India on 15th May 2021. The ship faced this unfortunate occurrence while in anchorage about 9.5 nautical miles off Colombo Port, having arrived at the location on 19th May before its entry into the Port. The distressed container ship has been manned by a crew of 25, who are Philippine, Chinese, Indian and Russian nationals.
X-Press Pearl: Click here to see the live maritime details of the Ship [ External Url]
Meanwhile, a special team comprising SLPA and SLN personnel got on board the ship last night and inspected the situation on board the ship where they suspected that the fire was erupted due to a reaction to the chemicals being transported on the ship.
