Salvors appear to be fighting a losing battle to save the X-Press Feeders' containership ablaze off the coast of Sri Lanka.
The owner's representatives said they were still hoping the ship could be salvaged as operations to save it continue.
But latest video images show fire and smoke has engulfed nearly all sections of the 2,743-teu X-Press Pearl (built 2021), after all 25 crew were evacuated, raising concerns it will be a constructive total loss.
The vessel is now 18 km (11 miles) off the coast of Colombo. It had arrived from the port of Hazira, India, on Wednesday last week. The fire broke out the nest day on a deck container and initially seemed to be under control. However, the situation dramatically worsened after an explosion on Tuesday.
The Sri Lanka Air Force is attempting to contain the fire by dropping dry chemical powder on the ship.
The Indian Coast Guard has also sent in two offshore patrol vessels to assist in firefighting and pollution response efforts.
Dutch salvage company Smit Salvage was earlier appointed under a Lloyd’s Open Form contract.
Local reports indicate debris has started to fall from the ship and at least 20 containers have been lost, some of which have washed up on the shores of Negombo, near Colombo, and surrounding areas.
Sri Lanka Marine Environment Protection Authority chair Dharshani Lahandapura warned local residents that some of the containers could contain hazardous cargoes.
The ship is known to be carrying 25 tonnes of nitric acid among the 1,486 containers on board.
Severe risks
“If there is any object or debris washed ashore in nearby areas, don’t touch or open those or have any kind of contact as it could pose severe risks,” Lahandapura is quoted as saying by local news outlet News 1st.
There are concerns over possible oil and chemical contamination of the seas around the vessel. A material described as similar to a “plastic pebble” is also reported to have washed up on the Sri Lanka coastline.
A pollution containment operation and clean-up of pollutants washed ashore are bound to add to the mounting salvage bill.
The ship’s owner has declared general average, which will split the total insurance claims between hull, cargo and protection and indemnity underwriters. The ship’s P&I cover is with London P&I Club.
The almost new X-Press Pearl is valued $45m by VesselsValue.
According to local reports one of two Indian crew members, who were hospitalised after being rescued from the ship yesterday, has tested positive for Covid-19.