Ships from Japan not allowed to de-ballast in Goa ports

April 22nd, 2011 - 4:55 pm ICT by IANS  

Panaji, April 22 (IANS) Fearing transmission of radiation, ships coming in from Japan at the Mormugao port in Goa have been asked not to de-ballast water from its holds, a top state pollution control official said Friday.

Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) chairman Simon D’Souza told reporters that both the ports in Goa, namely the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), Goa’s only major port which functions under the union ministry of shipping and the minor port at Panaji had been issued instructions in this regard.

“We have issued written instructions to both the ports to ensure that the ships which come in from Japan are not allowed to release their ballast water in our jurisdiction,” D’Souza said.

Earlier this week, a ship from Japan had arrived to pick up a cargo of iron ore mined from Goa.

The precautions are being taken in view of spread of radiation from the in-distress Fukushima nuclear plant following the earthquake last month.

“The Japanese ship has been quarantined in the port’s outer limits. But the ship’s agent has given me communication from the international maritime organisations which says that there is no fear of radiation,” he said.

Related Stories

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted in Uncategorized |

Subscribe