Hippo Spirit with rejected Chinese Fertilizer now anchored off Kalutara Coast

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Hippo Spirit bulk carrier, carrying rejected Chinese Organic Fertilizer has now moved towards the seas off Kalutara, confirmed Marine Traffic Websites on Monday (8).

On Sunday (7), the Hippo Spirit bulk carrier which is transporting rejected Chinese Organic Fertilizer was reported moving close to the Colombo Port and was located some 11 nautical miles away from the Colombo Port.

The Harbour Master of the Colombo Port on Sunday (7) said that the vessel will reach Colombo for Supplies Replenishment.

However, he said the Hippo Spirit will not be allowed to enter the Colombo Port and a supply boat will be assigned for replenishment services.

Sri Lanka’s Shipping Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena on Sunday (7) said he instructed the officials to deny any request to unload the fertilizer in Colombo.

The Hippo Spirit is carrying tonnes of rejected Chinese Fertilizer from Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co., Ltd to Sri Lanka.

On the 22nd of September, the Hippo Spirit ship carrying 20,000 metric tonnes of organic fertilizer left for Colombo from China’s Qingdao Port.

But the ship was diverted to Singapore after harmful bacteria was detected in the samples of this fertilizer shipment.

The Hippo Spirit ship that didn’t return to China had left Singapore declaring it would be heading to the Colombo Port.

But on the 14th of October, the automatic identification system (AIS) used to track the ship had been deactivated at the Malakka Strait.

Data available online showed the Hippo Spirit ship in Hambantota on 24th October under the name Seiyo Explorer.

The Hippo Spirit and the Seiyo Explorer both share the same IMO number, and therefore it can be confirmed the Hippo Spirit is the Seiyo Explorer.

The IMO Ship Identification Number is a unique seven-digit number that remains unchanged through a vessel’s lifetime and is linked to its hull, regardless of any changes of names, flags, or owners.

In early November 2021, the vessel was seen some 61 nautical miles away from the coast of Weligama, in the southern region of the Sea of Sri Lanka.