June 4, 2021
2 mins read

Fire-stricken X-Press Pearl cargo ship sinks off Sri Lanka coas

X-Press Feeders, operators of the container ship ‘X-Press Pearl’ reported that despite salvors successfully boarding the vessel and attaching a tow wire, efforts to move the ship to deeper waters have failed….reports Asian Lite News

Fire stricken Singapore registered MV X-Press Pearl cargo ship, which caught fire near the Colombo harbor, had sunk off the coast of Sri Lanka during an attempt to tow the vessel to deeper waters.

Captain Indika de Silva, Navy Media Spokesman, said the towing the ship to the deeper seas was abandoned as the stern of the ship sank to the seabed when it was being towed 500 to 600 meters westward, reported Colombo Page.

X-Press Feeders, operators of the container ship ‘X-Press Pearl’ reported that despite salvors successfully boarding the vessel and attaching a tow wire, efforts to move the ship to deeper waters have failed.

The operators in an update confirmed that the ship’s aft portion is now touching the bottom of the sea at a depth of 21 meters, reported Colombo Page.

“As of 1500 Sri Lanka time, the foreward area of the vessel remains afloat with smoke coming out of Cargo Holds No 1 and 2,” the update said.

A Navy spokesman said several teams, including the Navy and the Ports Authority, were on standby to prevent an oil spill from the ship and that three Indian vessels are also ready to handle the ship.

He said the towing the ship to deep sea was abandoned as the back of the ship was submerged in water, leaving the ship stranded in the seabed. He added that due to the severe damage caused by the fire, there was an uncertain situation at the beginning of the towing, reported Colombo Page.

More than half of the ship is now sinking at sea. A salvor team belonging to a foreign company commenced the removal of the wrecked X-Press Pearl from the shipping lanes of the Sri Lankan port this morning.

The Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne and the Commander of the Indian Navy had a discussion on the incident this afternoon. It is reported that the Indian Navy Commander has promised to extend further support to Sri Lanka, reported Colombo Page.

Singapore-flagged Containership, X-Press Pearl with a container leaking nitric acid reported smoke from the cargo hold on the 20th May while anchorage at 9.5 nautical miles northwest of the Port of Colombo. The vessel reported fire on deck on May 21.

X-Press Pearl had carried 1486 containers with 25 tonnes of Nitric Acid, several other chemicals, and cosmetics; it had departed from the port of Hazira on India on 15th May 2021.

Sri Lankan Navy, Air Force, Sri Lanka Ports Authority and other local agencies in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard ships continually battling the fire managed to douse the flames on May 31 making it possible for salvor teams to board the ship and assess the damage. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Sri Lanka bans travellers from India

Previous Story

Imran says Pakistan most at risk due to climate change

Next Story

Sri Lanka extends nationwide travel curbs

Latest from Asia News

India and Japan deepen naval bond

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Tripathi meets Japanese Defence Minister; visits advanced JMSDF units and shipbuilding facilities. The interaction and visits carried out by Admiral Tripathi set the ground for greater mutual understanding

Pakistan in the Dark: Power Crisis Boils Over

Regular power outages are a fact of life in Pakistan, but recent developments suggest that the situation is escalating to new extremes….writes Nasir Khattak In early January 2025, a nerve-breaking power outage

Famine grips Gaza, WHO warns

WHO said Gaza’s population is facing acute food insecurity under the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification…reports Asian Lite News The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued its starkest warning yet about the

Balochistan not for sale, Trump told

Mir Yar Baloch asserted that Trump’s recognition of the oil and mineral reserves in the region is “indeed accurate.”…reports Asian Lite News Just after US President Donald Trump announced to help Pakistan

Myanmar Unveils New Govt

The union government is led by U Nyo Saw as Prime Minister, and the State Security and Peace Commission is chaired by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing…reports Asian Lite news Myanmar’s National
Go toTop

Don't Miss

China’s grip on Sri Lanka sparks concerns

There is indeed a strong case to examine whether Sri

Harini Amarasuriya Takes Oath as Lanka’s 16th PM

Amarasuriya, a renowned academic, rights activist, and university lecturer is