Environmental crisis looms large for Singaporean container ship

An environmental crisis is unfolding off the coast of Sri Lanka.

Local authorities are dousing the flames on a Singaporean container ship, which is carrying chemicals and oil.

The container ship, MV X-Press Pearl, has been burning off the country’s west coast for over a week.

Dharshani Lahandapura is the chairperson of the Marine Environment Protection Authority, who said the fire intensified overnight.

“The fire has intensified and spread across the ship by Wednesday evening.”

Authorities have found oil spills around the vessel. But they are struggling to contain the fire due to the extreme heat and strong winds.

The container ship was carrying 300 tonnes of fuel, and over 25 tonnes of nitric acid. It was also carrying 1,486 containers.

Sri Lanka’s navy has deployed special patrols along the coast to avoid a further environmental crisis. But containers have fallen into the ocean and debris has started washing up over 10 kilometres away.

“We have warned the public not to collect items washed ashore from the ship as they could be mixed with chemicals,” Ms Lahandapura said.

But hundreds have already gathered across coastal areas to collect items that have washed ashore.

The fire broke out in the upper deck of the ship. But it has since spread to the quarterdeck, where a bridge is situated.

The vessel was travelling from the Indian port of Hazira back to Singapore. All crew members have safely arrived back on shore.