Chennai Oil Spill: DG Shipping Institutes Inquiry
Days after the unexpected cargo ships collision outside the Kamarajar Port in Chennai (Tamil Nadu State, India), the Directorate General (DG) of Shipping has instituted an inquiry regarding the same. Two vessels namely, M.T. BW Maple carrying LPG and M.T. Dawn Kanchipuram carrying Petrol and lube oil, collided while crossing each other at 03.45AM on January 28 outside the Kamrajar harbour. The Shipping Minister Shipping Pon. Radhakrishnan in Chennai today to take stock of Clean Up Operations, says a statement from the Press Information Bureau, Government of India. The Oil Tanker, Dawn Kanchipuram, which was carrying 32813 Tonnes of POL, suffered a rupture which led to engine oil spill (and not the POL being carried as cargo). There was no casualty or injury to the crew members.
Indian Navy Thwarts Pirate Attack
On 11 Nov 2008, an attack by pirates on the Indian ship MV Jag Arnav in the Gulf of Aden was thwarted by an Indian naval warship patrolling in the area. This attack on MV Jag Arnav took place at about 1030 h on the morning of 11 Nov 2008, when the ship was 60 nm east of Aden. The alarm raised by the merchant ship was monitored by an Indian naval ship patrolling in the vicinity. An armed helicopter with marine commandoes was launched from the naval ship to intervene and prevent the pirates from boarding and hijacking the merchant vessel. This timely and successful intervention led to the pirates aborting their attempt. The naval ship thereafter closed the Indian merchant ship to escort her to safety. MV Jag Arnav, a 38,265 tonnes bulk carrier is owned by the Great Eastern Shipping Co Ltd.
