VIKASH THAKUR 🕉

#addicted to ocean

[Marine Tanks (Voice of Sea) @MarineTanksInd]

Why Has the Safety Shield Around Iron Ore Fines Weakened?

Marine Tanks

22 Seafarers Missing, Questions for Port-Surveyor-MMD

A bulk carrier, MV Ocean Winner, carrying around 72,000 tonnes of Iron Ore Fines from Paradip, sank. Of the 24 Seafarers on board, 2 have been rescued, while 22 are still missing. The official cause of the accident has not yet been established, but serious questions have been raised over the loading of Iron Ore Fines and the safety system.

After the MV Asian Forest and MV Black Rose accidents in 2009, the Merchant Shipping Notice No. 9 of 27 August 2010 made 100% PSC/FSI Inspection and MMD Clearance mandatory for vessels loading Iron Ore Fines. The Notice also mentioned the dangers of excessive moisture and liquefaction.

But in the DGS Circular No. 2 of 31 May 2017, the requirement for 100% PSC/FSI Inspection and MMD Clearance was removed. The Circular bears the signature of Vikrant Rai, and the document states that it was issued with the approval of the Director General of Shipping.

Now the direct question is—if the risk associated with Iron Ore Fines had not disappeared, why was the additional layer of safety removed?

And when the world is today placing greater emphasis on monitoring and risk assessment for sensitive bulk cargoes, why was this system relaxed in India?

The 2017 Circular itself states that loading should not be undertaken during heavy rain. It also states that the interval between moisture testing and loading should not be more than seven days and that there should be no rain during this period, or the cargo should be protected from rain.

So now the questions are—

How was the cargo on MV Ocean Winner loaded during the rainy season?

What was the moisture content?
When was the TML certificate issued?
Who carried out the sampling?
Was the sample representative?
Was a re-test conducted after the rain?
What was the condition of the stockpile drainage and rain protection?
What did the Surveyor verify?
What did the Port inspect?
What did the MMD check?

The 2017 rules also provide that if information is received regarding high moisture, the MMD Surveyor can board the vessel, conduct an inspection and submit a report to the Principal Officer.

Therefore, the questions are not only for the Master—they concern the entire safety chain of the Shipper, Laboratory, Surveyor, Terminal, Port and MMD.

Today, 22 Seafarers are missing. Does it matter if they are not from India? At sea, nationality does not matter; human life does.

The investigation should not only examine why the vessel sank. It should also establish under what process around 72,000 tonnes of Iron Ore Fines were loaded onto the vessel and who verified what during that process.

Marine Tanks sought the response of the PO MMD Kolkata, but he declined to comment and asked us to speak to DGMA. Meanwhile, according to sources, MMD Kolkata has appointed two officers to conduct an investigation.

Now the country wants to know—

Will the safety system for Iron Ore Fines changed in 2017 also be investigated?

Because before fixing responsibility after an accident, it is essential to establish what happened at each level of the safety system before the accident occurred.
#IronOreFines #MVOceanWinner #Seafarers #MaritimeSafety #PortSafety #MMD #MaritimeSecurity #Shipping #IronOre #CargoSafety #Liquefaction #ParadipPort #DGShipping #PSC #FSI #MaritimeIndia #SeafarersSafety #ShipSafety #MarineTanks #IndiaShipping
@dgshipping_IN @shipmin_india @sarbanandsonwal @Shantanu_bjp @PMOIndia @InSeaandshore

[VIKASH THAKUR 🕉 @seafarer_vikash]

@Stock_Precision Wrong interpretation. Most of the vessels have already been diverted towards other sources. Check marine traffic between 01-05 Mar.

[VIKASH THAKUR 🕉 @seafarer_vikash]

@Bihar_se_hai 💯

[VIKASH THAKUR 🕉 @seafarer_vikash]

@Bihar_se_hai No budget

[VIKASH THAKUR 🕉 @seafarer_vikash]

@WithLoveBihar Nepo

[VIKASH THAKUR 🕉 @seafarer_vikash]

@IndianTechGuide VI 4g are better than others 5g

[VIKASH THAKUR 🕉 @seafarer_vikash]

@Mithileshdhar 20-40% Commission amount,book seller have to pay in advance to School administration, only for allotment. So they hike the MRP of Books. Even Page books cost around 200-300 rupees

[VIKASH THAKUR 🕉 @seafarer_vikash]

@ViNewsOfficial Your 4G is better than the other's 5G.

[VIKASH THAKUR 🕉 @seafarer_vikash]

@REDBOXINDIA Please note : SCI's VLCC Still waiting to cross Hormuz at Mina sqr Anchorage

[VIKASH THAKUR 🕉 @seafarer_vikash]

@AdityaRajKaul Almost Accurate information

[VIKASH THAKUR 🕉 @seafarer_vikash]

@smitaprakash Nothing New. Use Glonass for accuracy in the middle East zone

[VIKASH THAKUR 🕉 @seafarer_vikash]

@dgshipping_IN Waah.

[VIKASH THAKUR 🕉 @seafarer_vikash]

@VRMaritime199 Appreciable move. Congratulations

[VIKASH THAKUR 🕉 @seafarer_vikash]

@PrasharSdp Looks like Master hasn't Provided enough cigarettes

[VIKASH THAKUR 🕉 @seafarer_vikash]

@rajeevjassal Inspirational, sir.

[VIKASH THAKUR 🕉 @seafarer_vikash]

@DM_Samastipur Kindly take strict action against whoever defaming our administration.

[VIKASH THAKUR 🕉 @seafarer_vikash]

@MeghUpdates It’s not an official Certificate. Please stop spreading fake news and defaming Bihar. CC @DM_Samastipur @Samastipur_Pol

[VIKASH THAKUR 🕉 @seafarer_vikash]

@REDBOXINDIA S.O.H will never be closed.

[VIKASH THAKUR 🕉 @seafarer_vikash]

@rajeevjassal True

[VIKASH THAKUR 🕉 @seafarer_vikash]

@Stock_Precision Don’t underestimate the role of Indian Babu’s + our Clearance System.