What is in a box can't be a mystery anymore: India in IMO meeting

Mumbai: What is in a box can't be a mystery anymore, India has told the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in the wake of back to back shipping disasters along the Indian coast. 

India’s strong position came during the opening session of the 110th Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) meeting at the IMO in London on Wednesday.

The Indian delegation delivered a statement highlighting the ongoing rescue and emergency response efforts for MV MSC Elsa-3 and MV Wan Hai 503 off the Indian coast.

On May 24, Liberia-flagged vessel MV MSC Elsa-3 sank about 30 nautical miles off the Kerala coast in the Arabian Sea.

On June 9, Singapore-flagged container ship MV Wan Hai 503 caught fire off the Kerala coast. 

The commendable actions taken by Indian authorities received appreciation from the IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, as well as from the delegations of China and Singapore, according to the Directorate General of Shopping, which is headquartered in Mumbai. 

“India reaffirms its unwavering commitment to maritime safety and international cooperation. These incidents highlight urgent safety concerns regarding cargo carriage on container ships. India urges a global review of packaging, stowage, and monitoring protocols of containerized cargoes. especially lithium-ion batteries and plastic nurdles,” the DG Shipping said.

“The four incidents in quick succession within three weeks demand immediate action from stakeholders to protect seafarers' lives and the livelihoods of Indian fishermen and coastal communities. Reliance solely on shipper declarations is not adequate. Shipowners/Managers especially the container shipping lines must adopt technology and take responsibility to prevent such incidents in a transparent manner. What is in a box can't be a mystery anymore,” the Indian delegation said on the inaugural day of the meeting.  

India called upon IMO to develop stronger regulatory mechanisms for safety of container ships, cargo management, and crew protection on a war footing. 

“Though these incidents involved foreign vessels and crew from other nationalities, India activated rapid Search and Rescue and emergency response. The authorities remain vigilant and operational 24x7 to respond to emergencies in Indian waters,” the Indian delegation told the IMO.

Safety Investigations are ongoing, and findings will be shared before the next MSC meeting, if said about the maritime accidents.