MOL released an urgent update reporting that the aft part of the containership MOL Comfort sank in the open sea near 14’26”N 66’26”E (water depth about 4,000m) at 16:48 JST (11:48 Dubai time) on June 27.
The vessel had been unable to continue sailing under its own power since June 17 because the hull fractured into 2 parts while under way on the Indian Ocean.
About 1,700 containers aboard the aft part sank together with this section of the vessel. Some are confirmed to be floating near the site.
Around 1,500 metric tons of fuel oil were estimated to be aboard in the tanks of the aft part. No large volume of oil leakage is confirmed at this moment.
“We have reported this fact to Indian authorities while we are keeping patrol boats in the area to monitor the situation of oil leakage and floating containers,“ MOL said.
The fore part is being stably towed toward the Arabian Gulf.
[mappress]
MOL, June 27, 2013; Image: MRCC