Singaporean authority accuses Colombo Port of inaction in X-Press Pearl disaster

30 March 2024 08:31 am - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, March 30 (Daily Mirror)- A Singaporean authority has made a serious accusation against Colombo Port over the X- Press Pearl disaster saying that to assist was deemed limited and there was no follow-up after a team of firemen had assessed the situation onboard XP.

The report which has been released to the public domain has been compiled by the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) which is the air, marine and rail accidents and incidents investigation authority in Singapore. It says the tugs sent for firefighting had various limitations which did not offer continuous firefighting support.

“The Master did not receive answer from Colombo Port Control on the several requests made for urgent berthing before the fire went out of control,” the report says.

It also says, “The instruction for the ship to be towed away from the port, citing pollution risk, was contrary to the intention of the salvors to manage the incident closer into the port rather than to fight the fire at the anchorage where the weather conditions were not favourable. There was a lack of coordination among the stakeholders ashore to find a common solution in the handling of this emergency to ensure the safety of the crew onboard and to prevent the vessel’s condition from deteriorating. When the salvors boarded the ship, they had limited time to assess the situation while coordinating the firefighting efforts with tugs which had limited ability. The salvors were unable to orientate XP’s bow to a position that minimised the fanning of the fire by the prevailing winds, causing the fire to spread aft and towards the accommodation and engine room.

The Singapore registered container ship X-Press Pearl (XP), which was carrying 1,486 containers, encountered a fire that started in the cargo area while at anchor about nine nautical miles from the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka on May 20, 2021.

Comments - 17

Adwani Saturday, 30 March 2024 09:00 AM

SL Port handled the whole issue, as if they were handling disaster on land rather than on sea.

Something Fishy On this Disaster Sunday, 31 March 2024 11:37 AM

There is definitely something fishy about this whole episode. No sense of urgency to get the last cent on compensation and just dragging this matter. So much destruction and hardship for people especially along the coast line but government is not all that bothered to speed up the legal process. My take is they have received a substantial amount and used it for a few clean ups and minor compensation to the affected people. The rest are for the personal use of certain people not directly involved in the disaster.

Rip Winkle Saturday, 30 March 2024 09:19 AM

Who's to blame? Our highly corrupt and lethargic government along with our equally corrupt and lethargic government institutions. I pity my poor countrymen. Sri Lanka in itself is an 'X-press pearl'.

Conspiracy by the Previous Regime Saturday, 30 March 2024 09:21 AM

A detailed report from a reputable source in Spore shows it’s very obvious there was a CONSPIRACY to get the ship near SL waters. The previous regime took advantage and might have closed a deal for an immediate compensation to get the much needed funds during the initial period of the 2022 crisis.

Sokrates Saturday, 30 March 2024 09:32 AM

There were good times in Sri Lanka when all positions that required professional competence were filled by Brits.

johan Saturday, 30 March 2024 12:04 PM

Present COPE chairman was the minister at that time he messed up everything.

PD Saturday, 30 March 2024 12:35 PM

How about the Master and Captain of the ship departing from Qatar despite the ship not being seaworthy with leaks of toxic chemicals already happening? India also did not allow them to stop for this reason. It was sheer negligence of Xpress Pearl Ship Master, crew and company and they need to pay for the full damages done to Sri Lanka's oceans and coastlines and communities. These are just pathetic excuses from Singapore covering up for their company.

Kamal Saturday, 30 March 2024 01:07 PM

What do you expect from deal Dasa Rajapakse' the infamous wheeler dealer who first filed a case in the wrong courts to delay

Rohan Fernando Saturday, 30 March 2024 01:29 PM

Colombo port is fully equipped to handle anticipated complications on ships calling in Colombo. In the past the port has handled many similar cases successfully. I do agree with Singaporean Authority's that top management's negligence was the root cause.

Sambo Saturday, 30 March 2024 08:25 PM

The end result will be that the Sri Lanka port has no proper equipment to extinguish a fire and incompetent service men and we will have to pay compensation to the shipping company.

Sunil Saturday, 30 March 2024 09:22 PM

SLPA top management persons are appointed not on merit basis, instead appointments are made who can do works for politicians and capable of doing all type works

Dr wije Saturday, 30 March 2024 10:02 PM

This is what happens when uneducated rouge heads in place.

Buddhist Saturday, 30 March 2024 10:25 PM

As long as Deal Dasa is Justice Minister nothing will happen in this case.

DOT Sunday, 31 March 2024 08:37 AM

The required benefits have taken by required personal. Who cares the country!

Jude Sunday, 31 March 2024 09:44 AM

That means absolutely NO COMPENSATION!!!

Jude Sunday, 31 March 2024 09:47 AM

Tell them instead of compensation handover us "James Bond" Mahendran!!

sss Sunday, 31 March 2024 08:12 PM

As with the wide spread malnutrition assessment by an international organization, the corrupt government will simply reject this

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Singaporean authority accuses Colombo Port of inaction in X-Press Pearl disaster

Comments - 17

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