Steps must be taken to clean up oil spill within 48 hours; Centre’s warning on Kochi ship accident

KOCHI: The union shipping ministry has issued an ultimatum to the shipping company in the ship accident off the Kochi coast. The Centre alleged serious lapses from the side of the company in the procedures for removing debris. Despite repeated requests, the company has delayed. The Shipping Ministry has sent a notice to the MSC company citing all these things. The Secretariat General of Shipping also stated that the ship accident has severely impacted the Indian coast and marine ecosystem.

The ship accident has affected the Kerala coast. The company delayed the salvage procedures till May 30. The delay has caused a major setback. The steps to remove the fuel have not yet been started. Fishermen have lost their jobs. The notice sent to the shipping company states that action must be taken to clean up the oil spill within 48 hours, otherwise action will be taken as per Indian law.

The Centre has also warned the shipping company in the fire on the Singapore ship, asking it to immediately provide adequate equipment. Criminal action will be taken if the salvage procedures are delayed. The company has committed serious lapses. The shipping company did not provide adequate facilities to extinguish the fire or control the ship. The salvage ship presently also does not have adequate facilities, said center's notice.