Kochi : Following repeated ship accidents along the Indian coast, the Ministry of Shipping has taken a tough stand and issued notices to MSC and Singapore-based Wan Hai 503 shipping companies for serious violations.
This move comes after legal action was initiated regarding the Kochi ship accident. The Ministry pointed to major failures in the removal of wreckage and issued a final warning to MSC. Despite repeated requests, the company delayed the removal process, which led to significant environmental and economic damage. Fishermen lost their livelihoods due to the delay, and the salvage operation, originally scheduled for May 30, was postponed. The company has yet to begin fuel removal from the vessel.
The Ministry’s notice demands that oil spill clean-up procedures commence within 48 hours, failing which legal action under various Indian laws will be taken.
Separately, the Ministry also issued a notice to the owners of the Wan Hai 503 vessel, which caught fire near Azheekal in the Arabian Sea. The Ministry cited gross negligence on the company’s part, noting that adequate firefighting systems and control measures were not deployed in time. The company has been ordered to provide the necessary equipment and expedite the salvage operation, or face criminal charges.
