Vessel operator Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), the owner-operator of the Shahraz, which was involved in a double grounding in the Singapore Straits, has appointed Singapore Salvage Engineers to offload cargo and lighter the remaining fuel on board the stranded vessel.
The company told Container News that it has not signed a Lloyd’s Open Form and is not at this time ready to salvage the vessel. Operations director at SSE, Ivan Danakody said, “We are waiting for instructions from the owner, we are waiting to find out the plan.”
The accident, which occurred on 11 May, was initially thought to be a collision between the 6,572TEU Shahraz, which was built in 2008 and the 23,573dwt Samudra Sakti I. In fact, the bulk carrier was following the Shahraz when the container ship turned to avoid a tug crossing its path. Both vessels had been warned of the shallow waters in the area by Singapore authorities.
Samudra Sakti I has since been pulled clear by tugs and is at anchor in nearby Batam waters awaiting damage inspection.
Shahraz, meanwhile, has suffered structural damage and is expected to need extensive repairs. According to an update from the Indonesian Directorate General for Maritime Transport, a branch of the country’s Ministry of Transport, the container ship suffered significant damage to the hull structure in the midships. Adding that the situation has been made more difficult by the fact that the ship is loaded with containers.
Nick Savvides
Managing Editor
