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Hull of X-Press Pearl intact says shipownerHull of X-Press Pearl intact says shipowner

The fire onboard the boxship X-Press Pearl off Sri Lanka has been reduced and salvors have confirmed the hull of the vessel is intact.

Marcus Hand, Editor

May 31, 2021

1 Min Read
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Singapore-headquartered X-Press Feeders said the blaze onboard the containership, which started on 20 May, had been reduced to small spot fires on the aft of the ship on Sunday. Firefighting tugs assisted by the Sri Lankan Navy continued to spray the vessel.

As of 11-00hrs on 30 May salvors confirmed the vessel’s hull was intact and that had been no oil spill from the X-Press Pearl’s bunker tanks. There are fears the vessel could break apart and sink causing serious environmental damage.

“Salvors are also exploring the possibility of boarding the ship and making a tow connection so it can be moved,” X-Press Feeders said.

Video posted by the Sri Lankan Air Force on Saturday showed smoke continuing to billow from badly burnt hull and cargo of the vessel.

Meanwhile clean-up operations continued for cargo that had washed ashore and the Air Force said that more than 300 personnel had been deployed from 27 May to clear harmful wreckage and floating items on a 7 km stretch of coastline between Dungalpitiya to Pitipana.

“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,” X-Press Feeders said.

Two crew members are in hospital recovering from injuries, one of who has also tested positive for Covid-19. “The crew member who was transferred to a special facility in a military hospital after testing positive for Covid-19 remains asymptomatic and continues to recover from the leg injury,” the company said.

Related:X-Press Pearl blackened and burning as cargo washes up on shore

 

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About the Author

Marcus Hand

Editor

Marcus Hand is the editor of Seatrade Maritime News and a dedicated maritime journalist with over two decades of experience covering the shipping industry in Asia.

Marcus is also an experienced industry commentator and has chaired many conferences and round tables. Before joining Seatrade at the beginning of 2010, Marcus worked for the shipping industry journal Lloyd's List for a decade and before that the Singapore Business Times covering shipping and aviation.

In November 2022, Marcus was announced as a member of the Board of Advisors to the Singapore Journal of Maritime Talent and Technology (SJMTT) to help bring together thought leadership around the key areas of talent and technology.

Marcus is the founder of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast that delivers commentary, opinions and conversations on shipping's most important topics.

Conferences & Webinars

Marcus Hand regularly moderates at international maritime events. Below you’ll find a list of selected past conferences and webinars.

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