Nhava Sheva Port Closure

Update 11
Day 20

This is to inform all concerned that today being the TWENTYTH DAY after the collision between MSC CHITRA and KHALIJIA 3, Port operations are back to normal. All vessels arriving NHV are berthing without any omissions.

Vessels affecting OOCL:

Also find below press release no. 13 by D.G. Shipping:

1. Ship Movement: 9 vessels for Mumbai Port Trust (MBPT) and 7 vessels for Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) were brought in while 7 vessels from MBPT and 7 vessels for JNPT were sailed out.  This includes two oil tankers sailed out and one oil tanker brought in the port. This brings cumulated vessels piloted ‘out’ to be 194 vessels and cumulated vessels brought ‘in’ to be 194 vessels. 

2. Survey of navigational channel from middle ground onwards was undertaken by Indian Navy, as scheduled and for other areas of navigational channel in port waters, was undertaken by salvers.  There are a total of 296 targets reported by the surveying teams in the port waters. Of these targets, 39 have been identified as containers, 29 are identified as false targets and 228 targets are yet to be verified.

3. Transportation of canisters / bottles of aluminum phosphide and other pesticide are being facilitated through the customs and United Phosphorous under the supervision of ship-owners. 

4. Sampling for presence of phosphine is continuing. Phosphine gas is being released in controlled manner through the cargo hold ventilation system and the concentration of phosphine at the exit point is reported to be below 1 ppm depending upon the weather conditions.  Area around the ship continues to be safe. 

5. Following ferry routes are being surveyed;

a. Gateway of India                 -           Mandwa                      -           In Progress

b. Gateway of India                 -           Elphanta                     -           Completed

c. Gateway of India                  -           Jawaharlal Nehru Port -         Completed

d. Ferry Wharf                         -           Rewas                          -           In progress

e. Rewas                                  -           Karanja           -           yet to be commenced

f. Belapur                                -           Elephanta       -           yet to be commenced

6. No new cases of oil contamination have been reported. No major adverse incidence has been reported in respect of fishing activities.  Remedial measures for oil pollution are on way.

Pls note since the situation of NHV port is back to normal we will stop updating this info.

Update 10
Day 19

This is to inform all concerned that today being the NINETEENTH DAY after the collision between MSC CHITRA and KHALIJIA 3, from 23^rd August 2010 the convoy escort system provided by Navy has been phased out. Port operations are back to normal. All vessels arriving NHV are berthing without any omissions.

Vessels affecting OOCL:

Vessels affecting OOCL:

* Local NHV cargoes which were discharged at MUN & PIP, we have brought them back to NHV on New Delhi Express. OOCL Charleston will be bringing back the remaining contrs which is expected to arrive at NHV on 25.08.10 at 1000 hrs. Consignee’s who were ready to clear the cargo at Mundra were held back at Mundra. Cost of bringing back the contrs will be on consignee account.

Also find below press release no. 11 by D.G. Shipping:       

1. Ship Movement: From 23rd August, 2010 the convoy escort system provided by Navy has been phased out.   Navy, however, continues to do the survey of navigation channel from “middle ground” outwards whereas survey for PNV channel, JNPT channel, Indira Dock channel and Jawahar Dock channel is being undertaken by the salvers on daily basis. 

2. 4 vessels from Mumbai Port Trust (MBPT) and 9 vessels from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) transited out, while 7 vessels for MBPT and 9 vessels for JNPT were piloted in.  This brings cumulated vessels piloted ‘out’ to be 151 vessels and cumulated vessels brought ‘in’ to be 162 vessels.       

3. Further, normal shipping for movement of shallow draft vessels during night is being restored with effect from yesterday (23.08.2010).

4. Ship Stabilization: Salvers are organizing a suction dredger for assisting in upwriting of the vessel by dredging the area close to the vessel on starboard side. 

5. A total of 251 canisters have been collected from Elephanta Island and Alibaug beaches.  Measures are being undertaken for securing and eventual disposal of these canisters under the supervision of experts from United Phosphorous.

6. Sampling for presence of phosphine is continuing.  Area around the ship continues to be safe.

7. No adverse incidence has been reported in respect of fishing activities.  Remedial measures for oil pollution are on way.

Pls note we shall provide you the final update tomorrow.

Update 8
Day 17

This is to inform all concerned that today being the SEVENTEENTH DAY after the collision between MSC CHITRA and KHALIJIA 3, Traffic in NHV channel is moving slowly, vessel movements are carried out only at day time (upto 1900hrs). The port has declared that till 28^th August they shall accept maximum draft of 12m. It was decided that Navy will provide convoy escort only till 22.08.2010, from 23rd August onwards they will carry out survey of the common section of the navigation channel, while the JNPT and MBPT legs of the channel will be surveyed through the salver, who will also be providing escort surveys for the ships in the navigation channel.

 Also find below press release no. 10 by D.G. Shipping:

 1. Ship Movement: Navy has escorted 5 vessels out from Mumbai Port Trust (MBPT) and 10 vessels out from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, while 5 vessels for MBPT and 9 vessels for JNPT were piloted in.  This brings cumulated vessels piloted 'out' to be 126 vessels and cumulated vessels brought 'in' to be 132 vessels. Apart from the offshore vessels and mini bulk carriers, vessels with draft up to 7 meters are permitted to move regularly without any escort.

 2. Ship Stabilization: Ship stabilization by adding Ballast Water has been tried out.  About 1200 tons of water has been placed in 2 of the tanks of the vessel.  The salvers may have to take recourse to removal of cargo from the deck area for which floating crane of suitable capacity is being mobilized from Dubai.

3. It was decided that Navy will provide convoy escort only till 22.08.2010, from 23rd August onwards they will carry out survey of the common section of the navigation channel, while the JNPT and MBPT legs of the channel will be surveyed through the salver, who will also be providing escort surveys for the ships in the navigation channel.

 4. Out of the 293 containers lost from the ship, 77 beached containers are being retrieved.  However, the Ship Management Company is required to coordinate this with the Custom (Preventive). This has been facilitated by the JNPT.  32 containers have already been retrieved.  17 sunken containers in the port limits have been marked.  Other 11 containers have been located in the port limits outside the navigation channel, which are in the process of being marked.

5. Sampling for presence of phosphine is continuing.  Area around the ship continues to be safe.

6. The salvers have also identified priority routes for passenger ferry outside the port limits.  This will be surveyed well ahead of the commencement of the passenger ferry services from 1st September, 2010. Similarly, Department of Fisheries has indicated priority areas which also need to be surveyed for any sunken container.

7.  No adverse incidence has been reported in respect of fishing activities. Remedial measures for oil pollution are on way.

8. We are planning to bring back all NHV local cargo on New Delhi Express and Oocl Charleston from Mundra to Nhava Sheva and all cost will be on consignee’s account. Consignees who are ready to clear the cargo at Mundra will not be moved to NHV.

Vessels affecting OOCL:

Update 7
Day 14

This is to inform all concerned that today being the FOURTEENTH DAY after the collision between MSC CHITRA and KHALIJIA 3, Traffic in NHV channel is moving slowly, vessel movements are carried out only at day time (upto 1900hrs). The port has declared that only after 01^st Sep they shall try to take all 12m draft and not more than 12m till normalcy restores. 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.

Also find below press release no. 8 by D.G. Shipping:

1. Ship Movement: - Today, 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 be 93 vessels and cumulated vessels brought in to be 102 vessels. Movements of offshore supply vessels and mini-bulk carriers in and out of the MBPT and JNPT have been permitted without Naval escort.

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

3.   No fresh container has been sighted in the navigation channel. However, survey of 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 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 is kept on hold.

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

6. Suspected canisters containing pesticide were found at Elephanta Island. A team from United Phosphorous is on sight 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 work of clean up has began. 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.

Vessels affecting OOCL:

• NHV local cargo – this includes boxes discharged from vsl NYK KAI v012 (12x20’ + 45x40’), Apl Doha v005 (163x20’ + 199x40’) Ym America v046 (29x20’ + 25x40’) and Emirates Victory v028 - Pipavav (16x20’ + 33x40’).

Vessel Planning as on today:

 We shall keep you updated on a daily basis with regards to the development at Nhava Sheva.

Update 6
Day 13
This is to inform all concerned that today being the Thirteenth DAY after the collision between MSC CHITRA and KHALIJIA 3, Traffic in NHV channel is moving slowly, vessel movements are carried out only at day time (up to 1900hrs). No sailing is allowed after 1600hrs today. Navy has given draft a restriction for today and tomorrow.

Draft Restriction for today is: 10.5 meter (IN) 11.2 meter (OUT)                                      

Draft Restriction for tomorrow is: 11.3 meter (IN &OUT)

 Kindly note that the channel clearance does not seems to be in close proximity. It may take another 30 days for total clearance. It seems that the salvagers are unable to retrieve the containers that are submerged in the channel due to high current even though the weather was favorable in the whole of last week till date.

 Gates for CPX is though kept open, but movement is held back due to uncertainty of the berthing at GTI and or JNPT.

 Vessels affecting OOCL:

 We shall keep you updated on a daily basis with regards to the development at Nhava sheva.

 Today’s berthing details with draft of each vsl at the three terminals

Update 5
Day 11

This is to inform all concerned that today being the ELEVENTH DAY after the collision between MSC CHITRA and KHALIJIA 3, Traffic in NHV channel is moving slowly, vessel movements are carried out only at day time (upto 1900hrs). No sailing is allowed after 1600hrs today. Navy has given draft a restriction for today and tomorrow.

Draft Restriction for today is: 10.8 meter (IN) 11.2 meter (OUT)

Draft Restriction for tomorrow is: 10.8 meter (IN &OUT)

We shall keep you updated on a daily basis with regards to the development at Nhava sheva.

Update 4
Day 10

This is to inform all concerned that today being the TENTH DAY after the collision between MSC CHITRA and KHALIJIA 3, port oil slick is now under slight better position, though not fully recovered from the spill. The salvagers are doing their best, but still there are traces of long slicks yet to be removed. The port operations for navigating vessel’s are now only during day time and shall be operational probably by Saturday. Currently NAVY is deciding on which vessel should come in and go out.

We shall keep you updated on a daily basis with regards to the development at Nhava sheva.

Update 3
As on day 8 ie 14 Aug 2010