Though the probe into the oil spill off the Mumbai harbour is yet to name the guilty, there is consensus among the authorities that MSC Chitra is the polluter. It is with this understanding that claims will be filed by various agencies, say officials.
“Since oil has spilled from Chitra, we would naturally consider it the polluter. This has been our view from day one,” Environment Secretary Valsa Nair Singh told TheHindu over the telephone on Wednesday.
“As per law, the ship from which the pollutant is spilled is charged with claims. This is accepted worldwide. As far as the government is concerned, the spill was from Chitra. If, however, the probe shows that Khalijia is equally or more responsible, Chitra will forward the claims to Khalijia,” chairman of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) N.N. Kumar said.
While the police are following the Indian Penal Code and the Environment Protection Act, the ports were looking at commercial penalty.
Mr. Kumar said the JNPT sent a notice to Chitra on Tuesday, informing them about the filing of claims. Estimates have not been drawn yet. “Presently, the ship is still at sea. We don't know what will happen as long as it still has fuel. Moreover, the port is not fully operational. So losses are mounting.”
The Directorate General (DG) of Shipping and Maharashtra Minister for Transport Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil had a review meeting to discuss salvage measures and the situation of the containers in the sea. Of the 293 fallen ones, 10 were found sunk and marked, 77 beached, 14 retrieved by floating cranes and 18 transported ashore at the JNPT, a release from DG Shipping said.
Ferry services, suspended due to foul weather, will resume from September 1.
