MPA Singapore said it is working closely with Sri Lankan authorities, ship operator, and classification society on efforts to stabilize the fire-hit ‘X-Press Pearl’ and put in place measures to reduce the extent of environmental impact.
The Singapore-registered container ship ‘X-Press Pearl’ caught fire on 20 May 2021 while underway from India to Sri Lanka. As reported by the ship operator, X-Press Feeders, the ship was carrying 1,486 containers onboard.
A few days later, the burning vessel suffered also an explosion. All 25 crew members were evacuated safely, with 2 of them suffering burns, while 8 containers fell overboard.
Earlier this week, Sri Lanka said it would sue X-Press Feeders, as the ship has been burning for 11 days, causing “the worst marine pollution” Sri Lanka has ever suffered, according to local authorities.
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As the flag State, MPA Singapore has been in constant communication with all involving parties and has directed the ship operator to cooperate fully with the Sri Lankan authorities and to adhere to measures to minimize environmental impact. MPA has also instructed the ship operator to carry on with their deployment of resources to clean up the sea as much as possible.
Based on the latest update from the ship operator on 2 June, while the fire onboard has been put out, the ship’s condition has deteriorated. MPA understands that the ship’s stern is now submerged, and the ship may be at risk of sinking. The ship operator is working with the salvors to continue with the salvage operations,
…MPA informed.
The Authority also announced it has commenced its own investigation on the incident, separate from the one by Sri Lankan authorities with the ship operator.
