Spare parts were finally transferred on Sunday morning to a bulk carrier that has been stranded off Vizhinjam since May 7 due to engine trouble.
A Kerala Maritime Board tug successfully transferred the spares to MV Sirrah, which was awaiting them at the outer anchorage at Vizhinjam.
The entire operation was coordinated by Thiruvananthapuram-based shipping agency, Waterline Shipping and Logistics Pvt. Ltd., appointed by the vessel’s owners.
Captain Anwar Gammal, Master of MV Sirrah, had stated that the vessel would depart the anchorage within four to six hours of rectifying the defect, Manoj Nair, chief executive officer, Waterline Shipping and Logistics Pvt. Ltd., said in a statement.
MV Sirrah, which has several Indian crew on board, had encountered engine trouble on its way from Chennai to the United Arab Emirates. It contacted the Vizhinjam port authorities on the matter on May 7. To restore operational capability, essential engine spares were urgently required.
The owners of the vessel had arranged for the spares to be transported to Vizhinjam, but the vehicle was delayed at check points.
In the meantime, the Coast Guard had boarded the vessel and carried out an inspection given the tensions prevailing along the Indo-Pak border. It confirmed that there were no suspicious elements or cargo on board.
The spares finally reached Vizhinjam around midnight on Saturday.
Capt. Gammal has extended his appreciation to the port authorities, Customs department, Immigration department, and the Indian Coast Guard for their seamless coordination and timely support, Mr. Manoj Nair said.