India has roped in international expertise to prevent a major oil spill from a stranded cargo ship that caught fire in the Bay of Bengal close to the Sundarbans even as the government yesterday said a “minor oil leakage” took place from the vessel.
India's Directorate General of Shipping and its allied office, Mercantile Marine Department, Kolkata, the Indian Coast Guard and various authorities have been constantly monitoring the developments as efforts to salvage MV SSL Kolkata continued, said a statement issued by the defence ministry.
“There is no apparent damage caused to the environment as of now except a minor oil leakage from vessel which is being attended to with means of oil spill combating gear. Investigation by the directorate is under progress.”
The vessel has been grounded at about eight nautical miles off the Indian side of Sundarbans since June 13 when its cargo area caught fire following an explosion. All 22 crew members were rescued by the Indian Coast Guard.