Chemical Tanker Runs Aground off Goa, India

Chemical tanker Nu-Shi Nalini has run aground off Dona Paula at Goa, India, in adverse weather conditions caused by Cyclone Kyarr.

The vessel is reported to be carrying 2,000 metric tons of naphtha and 50 tons of fuel.

The ship grounded on October 26, after which the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) authority requested assistance in the salvage operation from the Indian Navy.

The Navy winched down a team of salvage experts to undertake a survey of the 2012-built vessel since prevailing weather and heavy seas did not allow any boats to reach the vessel.

The Indian Coast Guard has sent an oil spill response vessel which was to deploy an oil containment boom around the stranded ship but weather conditions are still complicating efforts to get closer to the vessel. There was no oil spill reported as of Saturday.

A plan is in place to remove the cargo from the 16,700 dwt Nu-Shi Nalini prior to an attempt to refloat it, which is dependent on weather conditions. Navy and coast guard vessels are monitoring the ship which had broken free from its anchorage and drifted towards the coast prior to the grounding.