After shuffling through salvors from UAE, Singapore and other countries along with a string of failed datelines, the MPT finally issued work order to the Dutch salvage company Marine Masters to salvage the naphtha-laden tanker Nu-Shi Nalini. But even as the first step is being taken towards salvage, several critical questions have remained unanswered and there are fears that this operation my go the River Princess way.
Goa had a horrible experience with River Princess with the ship cleared after 15 long years with two contractors failing to tow it away. The payment dispute nonetheless is still languishing before the arbitration court. The Nalini script is somewhat similar and the people of Goa must get complete clarity before the job begins.
If we may recall, the MPT in its intervention petition before the High Court had submitted that ship owners M/s Arya Ship Charterers Pvt Ltd have given an undertaking that they will reimburse all expenses for salvage. MPT also stated that it will take appropriate steps to recover expenses and port dues and could also claim salvage remuneration. Cut to the present, and the ship owners have admitted that they are currently not in a position to foot the salvage bill. The owners are believed to be in the midst of a financial crisis with even the crew abandoning the ship because of non-payment of salaries.
The salvage is stated to be spread across 30 days, contrary to the 8-day time period which Chief Minister Pramod Sawant spoke of initially. However, the payment aspect is crucial and this month-long operation could drag over years just like in River Princess case. The MPT may have made a down payment to get the operation started, but the hitch comes at a time of subsequent payments. In case of non-recovery of dues from the owners, the matter will take a legal turn which could involve auction of the vessel. Goa government being made a party to the proceedings cannot be ruled out.
The math is not adding up too. The sale of the 2500-tonne naphtha may not even fetch Rs 8 crore against the cost of salvage operations ranging between Rs 24-30 crore. There needs to be clarity on recovery and the time-frame allowed for owners of the ship to pay.
There has been a veil of secrecy over every move since the tanker ran aground on October 25. An FIR has been lodged against the owners of the ship, but there has been no follow-up action and no responsibility fixed nor arrests made. The facts of the case are clear and the circumstances under which the tanker was allowed inside MPT remain questionable. Even questions are raised over insurance papers of the ill-fated tanker.
The vague half-a-dozen deadlines and empty promises on a situation that poses such a grave danger to people and maritime life goes to show how frivolously the issue is handled. The MPT and the State government should make public the details of the salvage operations and recovery.
