Archives

No harmful chemicals in distressed Chinese ship says, Ports Ministry

The Ministry of Port Development and Shipping referring to a news item published in sections of the media regarding the unloading of several containers with a 'mystery chemical' from a ship berthed at the Colombo harbour, said the chemical refered to is not at all harmful but one used as an ingredient in the production of pesticides.

The Ministry said the ship 'LT Grand' proceeding from China to the Middle East had sought assistance from the Colombo Port to put out a fire on board while it was passing through Sri Lanka's territorial waters on February 13.

Port fire officers who boarded the ship reported that on seeing smoke coming out of a container they had suspected a fire and sprayed a chemical to douse the fire.

On February 16, the ship called at the entrance to the port and was allowed in after a thorough examination of its cargo by Port officials.

Since it has established that the ship did not contain any dangerous cargo according to international specifications 278 containers found in it were unloaded at the Port under Customs supervision.

Meanwhile the container which leaked smoke had been cleared out of the Port and other containers had been subjected to a thorough inspection.

The bad odour which spread in the area was caused due to a reaction between the fire-fighting chemicals and the pesticide chemicals found in the leaking container.

The ship has now been cleaned and is due to leave the Colombo Port today.

According to international navigation rules, the nearest Port is duty bound to come to the assistance of any ship in distress at sea.

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority has only carried out this international obligation, the release said.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager