Stranded Oil Tanker "Should Not be Moved"

The Madras High Court has stated that the oil tanker, MT Pratibha Cauvery, which ran aground off the coast near Elliots Beach on October 31st, should not be relocated from the territorial authority of the court.

Following the court order stating that the vessel could not be taken, the owner of the ship has a limited choice. He can take the ship to one of three ports in Chennai, Karaikal, or Nagapattinam.

Suggesting that the vessel be moved either to Ennore Port or Kattupalli Port, a senior official stated that by blocking one of the berths in Bharthi Dock, productivity of oil firms might be highly affected. Moreover, one berth has already been lost to the Korean vessel, OSM Arena.

Ennore Port officials stated there were no spare berths at the port, adding that coal berths and car berths were always engaged and an LPG vessel was expected to arrive in a couple of days.

Kattupalli officials stated that they are not keen on taking the vessel in for repairs. They are doubtful of recovering money spent on the ship. The ship is not in good condition. It does not have fuel or water and food was only distributed once a day. It has been reported that six engineers have already died of starvation.

The ship is now in the jurisdiction of Chennai district. One November 2nd, a justice granted an interim injunction forbidding the ship from moving from the port, pending further notice.