This is to inform all concerned parties that on 20 August, 2010, the fourteenth day after the collision between MSC CHITRA and KHALIJIA 3, traffic in NHV channel is still moving slowly. Vessel movements are carried out only during daylight hours (up to 1900hrs). The port has declared that after 1 September, they will attempt to accept all 12m draft and not more than 12m until a normal situation is restored. Draft restriction is still in place for all berthing and sailing and is being declared on a day to day basis, as per the availability of the Naval Escort. 

Please find below report on D.G. Shipping:

1. Ship Movements: - On 20 August, 2010, the Navy has escorted 6 vessels out from Mumbai Port Trust and 7 vessels out from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, while 6 vessels for MBPT and 2 vessels for JNPT were piloted in.  This brings cumulated vessels piloted out to 93 vessels and cumulated vessels brought in to 102 vessels. Movements of offshore supply vessels and mini-bulk carriers in and out of the MBPT and JNPT have been permitted without naval escorts.

2.  6 boats have been deployed continuously for surveying the port waters. Additionally, the Navy is carrying out surveying of the navigation channel for ensuring safe transit of the escorted ships.

3.  No fresh container has been sighted in the navigation channel. However, a survey of the port area outside the navigation channel has revealed several targets which are in the process of being verified for possible containers.

4. Latest sampling for presence of gas on board MSC Chitra has revealed high concentration of phosphine gas in the forepeak area of the vessel.  Experts are expected to arrive tomorrow to attend to the problem and to make an action plan for its removal / neutralization.  On account of this development, work of up-righting the vessel has been kept on hold.

5. A contingency plan has been made to contain possible oil pollution near the vessel at the time of up-righting of the vessel.  This plan would be deployed prior to the up-righting operations.

6. Suspected canisters containing pesticide were found at Elephanta Island. A team from United Phosphorous is on site to identify and to ensure that it is safe for clean up workers.

7.  Of the total areas ashore where oil has been noted, 4 areas (Elephanta Island, Colaba Navy Nagar, Nhava Island and Awas Beach) are reported to be high priority areas and the clean up work has begun. There are 5 areas, which are of medium priority where the clean up action plan includes natural cleaning and some pressure washing.  At other 10 areas, no clean up is required, as natural cleaning has already occurred due to waive action.

Below are the details of services and vessels that will affect OOCL customers: