ClassNK, which classed the five-year old vessel, is working in conjunction with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Japanese government authorities to investigate the cause of the casualty. Lloyd’s Register has also been appointed to investigate the cause as a neutral third party.
However, the loss of the remaining part of the hull on 11 July means investigators have much less evidence to work with. “In view of these unfortunate circumstances, the ClassNK Casualty Investigation Team will expedite the investigation into the cause of the incident, and expects to consolidate its preliminary findings by early September 2013.”
“ClassNK will continue to make every effort to determine the cause of this incident, and will work to ensure that the results of the investigation are used to secure greater safety for the maritime industry,” the Japanese class society added.
The MOL Comfort split into two on the Indian Ocean on 17 June in what was believed to be a major structural failure.
The aft section of the ship sank on 27 June to an approximate water depth of 4,000 metres along with some 1,700 containers onboard.
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