Chinese Fertilizer ship cannot be located - Rohitha

COLOMBO (News 1st); The ship carrying 20,000 MT of Chinese Organic Fertilizer was not located as of Wednesday (27) morning, says Ports and Shipping Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena.

During a press conference held today (27), the Minister stated that as per the instructions of the Ministry of Agriculture, the relevant ship will not be allowed to enter the port, and directives were given to the port officials as well.

However, the IMO number of the ship is the same, yet the signaling system had not traced the ship, and neither has the Navy, the Minister of Shipping stated, emphasizing that the ship will not be allowed inside the port until he has been directed to do so. 

The Minister added that the ship remaining stationary in the Sea of Sri Lanka is not illegal, however, if the ship defies orders not to enter the port and enters the Colombo Port, that is illegal, and that will not be allowed.

On Sunday (24), the Seiyo Explorer (previously Hippo Spirit) ship with fertilizer was located close to the Little Basses Reef, said the Harbormaster of the Colombo Port, adding that however, it was not detected thereafter.

Hippo Spirit, which was carrying 20,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer, left China on the 22nd of September to reach Sri Lanka.

However, after confirmation came to light, that the stock of fertilizer on board the Ship contained hazardous bacteria, the Sri Lankan Government decided to suspend the importation of fertilizer.