Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is conducting rescue of crew members and facilitating towing operations of the vessel, which caught fire off Kerala and drifted within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
- Previously, last month, a container ship sank off the coast of Kerala with hazardous cargo washed ashore raising concerns about maritime disasters and safety.
Risks of disasters associated with Maritime Shipping
- Sea and its hazards: Risks may be predictable (storm, frost) or unpredictable (tsunami, a submarine or a piece of wreckage, a contact with a mine).
- Risks get bigger in straits, channels (Panama, Suez) and the “sea highways”, due to numerous wrecks in shallow waters.
- State of the ship: The growing density of ferries with higher tonnage and old age and technology of ships.
- New risks: Transport of hazardous chemical products, dangerous cargo, nuclear wastes, submarines and weapons, etc.
- Others: Human error, wars, maritime piracy, terrorism, etc.
Consequences
- Environment: Marine pollution such as oil spills, loss of biodiversity, ballast water contamination, etc.
- Health: Toxic exposure from chemicals/oil can cause long-term health issues for cleanup workers and locals, etc.
- Economic loss and safety: Devaluation of the shores, beach cleanup operations, loss of coastal livelihoods, deteriorating tourism, etc.
Related International Conventions
Note: Of the above conventions, India is signatory only to the MARPOL convention. |
