Lab reports of New Diamond submitted to AG

Lab reports of MT New Diamond Oil samples handed over to AG; MEPA

by Zulfick Farzan 19-09-2020 | 10:29 AM

Colombo (News 1st); Laboratory test reports of the oil samples obtained from the location of the distressed Crude Oil Taker, MT New Diamond, were handed over to Attorney General Dappula De Livera, said Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) Chairperson Darshani Lahandapura on Saturday (19).

She said the laboratory test reports were prepared by the Government Analyst's Department.

Divers are continuing their operations to ascertain if there is any damage to the distressed MT New Diamond, an oil tanker sailing 38 nautical miles off Sangaman-kanda Point east of Sri Lanka which issued a distress signal on 3rd September 2020.

The distressed oil tanker in eastern seas was manned by 23 crew members including 5 Greeks and 18 Philippine nationals, one of them died in the fire.

Further, the tanker was transporting 270,000 metric tons of crude oil from the port of Mina Al Ahmadi in Kuwait to the Indian port of Paradip, when it faced this unfortunate event.

It is also reported that 1700 metric tons of diesel required for the use of the tanker is also stored onboard.

MT New Diamond is a 20-year old crude oil tanker that is 333 meters long and 60 meters wide, and sailed with a Japanese certificate and is registered in Panama.

Greece-based Porto Emporios Shipping Inc is the registered owner of the 20-year old Panama-flagged very large crude carrier, New Shipping Ltd is the manager of the vessel.

New Shipping Ltd appointed SMIT Singapore Pte Ltd to lead salvage operations.

Salvagers have already vacated the ruptured tank in the engine room and transferred the dirty water into the ballast section.