Vessel Denied Harbor Entry Due to Leaking Gas Cargo Onboard

A cargo ship with 11 crew members on board is being refused entry in the inner area of Darwin Harbour, Australia, after leaking hazardous gas for over 48 hours within Darwin’s sight.

Four ethylene gas containers on the forward deck were displaced in extreme weather and ended up punctured during the storms on the Singapore-based Eline Enterprise. The 14-year-old vessel is anchored at harbor limits, as reports show that Darwin was their intended destination. The captain has reported that the gas has stopped flowing from the containers.

OSM Singapore is sending a representative to Darwin to execute an inspection of the vessel. The company says that containers were pounded and there is vessel damage due to the inclement weather and the high seas reaching the deck. However, most concerns are for the people on and around the ship, as well as the environment. The ship does also have several other cargoes onboard.

Numerous organizations and officials are scheduled to inspect the Enterprise for gas pockets including the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and Darwin Port. It is not yet known when the ship will be permitted to dock. Every precaution is being taken, although the gas seems to be dissolving in the high winds.

The harbor master states that there have been some concerns for the ship’s personnel, but there was a greater risk in bringing the ship in. At its current location, the vessel does not pose any threat to anyone in the greater Darwin area from the leaking gas.

The Panama-registered ship is owned by Norwegian company OSM. It operates between Singapore, Dili and Darwin.