Working Conditions Aboard the Hai-Duong-09

The cargo ship Hai Duong 09 has successfully transitioned to an anchorage off the coast of Visakhapatnam on September 9, after completing essential inspections by various maritime authorities, including the Mercantile Marine Department and local port officials. This move came after the vessel underwent a crucial ballasting operation to restore its balance. Port authorities have expressed intentions to pursue compensation from the ship's management, attributed to the disruption caused by the vessel blocking docking space. Decisions regarding the loading of steel billets from Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) are pending the submission of necessary certifications verifying the ship's seaworthiness. During the restoration process, water was pumped into the Hai Duong 09's central tank by fire tenders to achieve a level keel. Officials have voiced their dissatisfaction regarding the lack of cooperation from the crew throughout the operation and have pointed fingers at the ship management for negligence, which resulted in the vessel's tilt after it took on 1,200 tonnes of steel billets at RINL.

On September 8, 2023, the Visakhapatnam Port Trust established a high-level committee to investigate irregularities that occurred during the loading of steel billets belonging to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) onto the vessel Hai Duong 09. The inquiry aims to clarify that the stevedore responsible for loading the iron billets was in fact Srivalli Shipping, rather than JM Baxi and Co., suggesting that a potential miscommunication could have led to this confusion. The committee will thoroughly examine several aspects of the incident, including the accuracy of the loading process, potential crew errors, and any technical anomalies that may have contributed to the mishap. Fortunately, the cargo ship has been successfully returned to a stable orientation, resuming normal operations.

On September 7, intensive efforts were underway to return the cargo ship 'Hai Duong 09' to an upright position after it tilted while docked at the EQ-5 berth of Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) the previous afternoon. The incident was triggered by improper loading practices involving steel billets. To rebalance the ship, a generator is being utilized to pump water into the central tank, compensating for the vessel's instability caused by the failure of its main generator. Communication issues with the Vietnamese crew have added complexity to the situation. In response to this incident, VPT has secured an indemnity bond and collaborated with surveyors from the Mercantile Marine Department. The matter has been formally reported to the Director-General of Shipping. Investigations suggest that faulty ballasting practices were responsible for the tilt, which occurred after 1,200 tonnes of steel were loaded and the ship underwent de-ballasting meant to ensure proper balance. This de-ballasting procedure was ultimately executed incorrectly, causing the vessel to lean towards the berth. For more details, including an accompanying photograph, visit: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/080917/visakhapatnam-hai-duong-ship-served-notice.html