The fire aboard an X-Press Feeders containership off Sri Lanka has largely been brought under control, the Singapore-based shipowner has said.
“Firefighting operations to extinguish the blaze aboard the vessel have further reduced the area affected by flames to small spot fires in the aft of the ship,” the shipowner said.
Firefighting tugs will continue spraying and misting the 2,743-teu X-Press Pearl (built 2021) with support from the Sri Lankan Navy and Indian coastguard.
The Sri Lank Navy also confirmed that the fire aboard the vessel had receded to a “greater extent” after releasing thermal infrared footage of the vessel.
Pollution comes ashore
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan media has said millions of plastic pellets from the vessel have started to wash up on beaches, along with other hazardous waste.
Dharshani Lahandapura, head of the country's Marine Environment and Protection Authority (MEPA), said the country is facing probably "the worst beach pollution in our history."
She added the microplastic pollution could cause years of ecological damage.
More than 30 containers have gone overboard. These mostly contain chemicals and the boxes have spread over 37km.
Thousands of navy employees have been scooping pellets from beaches.
The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) said the affected region should be declared "hazardous" and the public should be ordered to stay away.
The impact on mangroves, lagoons and marine wildlife in the region was being assessed by environmental experts.
Salvors are said to be exploring the possibility of boarding the Singapore-flagged vessel and making a tow connection so it can be moved.
X-Press Feeders said that salvors have confirmed that the vessel's hull remains structurally intact, and there has been no loss of oil into the port's waters.
“Contractors continue working with local authorities on their fourth day of shoreline clean up efforts to dispose of any debris that has come ashore safely,” the shipowner added.
“We remain fully focused on the ongoing firefighting and salvage operation and will co-operate with the relevant investigations into the cause of the fire.”
One crew member was transferred to a special facility in a military hospital after testing positive for Covid-19, while a second injured crew member continues to recover from his injuries in a local hospital.
The other 23 seafarers who remain in a Colombo quarantine facility are said to be in good health and are in contact with their families.
