Fire reported on Singapore-flag ship off Colombo harbour

A fire was reported in a container on board a Singapore-flag ship ‘X-PRESS PEARL’ in the seas off Colombo Port, the Navy said.

The Navy said the harbour fire fighters and the Navy were dispatched to the scene following a smoke reported from a container aboard the ship yesterday afternoon.

It was reported the smoke erupted in a container loaded with chemicals.

However, the smoke later escalated in to a fire since last night due the rain water mixed with the burning chemicals.

Navy Spokesman Captain Indika De Silva said the 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. The distressed container ship has been manned by a crew of 25, who are Philippine, Chinese, Indian and Russian nationals.

The container ship was in anchorage about 9.5 nautical miles northwest of Colombo harbour as the incident was reported.

Two offshore patrol vessels, Sri Lanka Naval Ship (SLNS) Sagara, Sindurala, a fast attack craft and a Tug from the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) are engaged in firefighting efforts.

Further, special teams of the Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard remain standby to respond to possible emergency situation. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)