A criminal investigation is underway over the fire on the ship, X-Press Pearl with all crew set to be interviewed, reports BM Global News. Platts reports that the possible total constructive loss of the X-Press Pearl stands to be the latest in a line of container ship losses for the insurance industry.
Boxship owner to be sued
Sri Lankan authorities said they will sue X-Press Feeders, the owners of the three-month old, Singapore-registered boxship which has burned for 11 straight days off the island’s west coast and caused some of its worst-ever marine pollution.
Sri Lanka’s Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) said it met with attorney general Sanjaya Rajaratnam on Sunday to plan legal action against the owners of the vessel, its crew, as well as insurers.
Read Also: Boxship fire rages for 6th day off Sri Lanka
Worst marine pollution
MEPA chairman Dharshani Lahandapura told reporters in Colombo, “We have gone through the details and will be taking action against those responsible.”
She said the fallout from the blaze was the “worst marine pollution” Sri Lanka has ever suffered. The fire is thought to have started because of poorly packed acid in one container.
As well as the environmental damage caused by the leaking nitric acid, tons of microplastics have been washing up on Sri Lanka’s coast, sparking a massive clean-up operation.
The fire is reportedly finally under control and the hull remains in tact, however it is clearly a constructive total loss.
Fire on X-Press Pearl: Vessel’s hull remains structurally intact – Iatest Images #XPressPearl #Maritime #ColomboPort #SriLanka #lka #indianocean
Read More at;https://t.co/okQBSXyNTr pic.twitter.com/yha5PFcuEZ— Sri Lanka Ports Authority (@slpauthority) May 30, 2021
Fire flared onboard #MVXPressPearl has receded to a greater extent. Thermal infrared footage captured by #Gajabahu (P 626) of #srilanka_navy in the last couple of days depicts how fire stands on ill-fated ship. pic.twitter.com/mZ8AoKOYAa
— The Sri Lanka Navy (@srilanka_navy) May 30, 2021
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Source: Platts & BM Global News
