512 canisters secured from sea after ship collision: DGS

Measures are being initiated with help from Customs and police authorities for transportation of these canisters to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) said in a statement here today.

MSC Chitra and MV Khalijia-III, carrying chemicals and other shipment, had collided on August 7, causing an extensive oil spill into the sea and nearby mangroves.
Stray cases of oil contamination were reported on fishing nets at Mahul and Trombay areas. However, no major adverse impact has been reported in respect of fishing activities. Remedial measures for oil pollution are underway and sampling for presence of phosphine (a toxic gas) is also continuing, the shipping regulator said.
No new sunken containers have been reported in the navigational channel, the statement said.

Two ferry routes from Mumbai were surveyed and found to be safe for movement of ferries. There were, however, reports of sighting of two sunken obstructions, it said.
Meanwhile, 14 vessels for Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) and five for Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) were brought in today, while 12 vessels from MbPT and four from JNPT were sailed out, the DGS said.