News Desk
COLOMBO — Maritime authorities in Sri Lanka and the Maldives are coordinating recovery efforts after a Maldivian cargo vessel lost 17 empty containers overboard during severe weather off the coast of Colombo.
The incident, which took place on Sunday morning approximately 17 nautical miles west of the Port of Colombo, involved the MV MSS Graphene, operated by the Maldives State Shipping (MSS). The vessel had departed from Malé on February 28. According to the Colombo Information Fusion Centre, treacherous seas and heavy swells caused the ship to pitch violently, dislodging the containers from its upper deck.
Tohaa Mohamed, the chief commercial officer for MSS, stated that no injuries were reported and the ship’s remaining cargo was untouched.
“The vessel experienced a severe roll during heavy weather, causing 17 empty containers to go overboard,” Mohamed said, adding that the crew quickly regained control of the ship and secured the rest of the cargo load.
While adverse weather initially prevented immediate retrieval operations, local MSS agents are now working alongside Sri Lankan maritime officials to draft a formal removal strategy. In response to the hazard, the Sri Lankan Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has issued an official navigational warning for all vessels navigating the area, and the Sri Lanka Navy has deployed patrol craft to monitor the drifting containers and assist in locating them.
