The Hindu Business Line : Progress in China-bound ship stabilisation process

Mangalore, Sept. 12 There has been improvement in the stabilisation process of m.v. Cheng Le Men – which beached off Mangalore coast on September 7 – with the listing (tilting) of the ship coming down to eight degrees.

The listing of the ship stood at 16 degrees when it beached off Mangalore coast on September 7.

Capt Mohan Kudari, Port Officer of Old Mangalore port, told Business Line that there has been good progress in the stabilisation process of the ship with reduction in its listing.

Three excavators have been pressed into operation at cargo hold numbers 2, 3, and 4 on board the ship. They are shifting iron ore cargo from right side of the ship to left side.

He said that 14 members of the Singapore-based SMIT International Salvage Company and 28 crew members are involved in the process of bringing stability to the ship.

The progress indicated that the ship could be floated back soon, he said.

The China-bound m.v. Cheng Le Men developed a list of 16 degrees on September 6 seven nautical miles away from Mangalore coast during its onward journey from the New Mangalore port. The tugs from the New Mangalore port, which were pressed into service immediately, were successful in preventing the ship from developing further listing.

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