MSS working on recovering 17 containers that fell overboard from its vessel

Maldives State Shipping (MSS) states they are working with the relevant authorities in Colombo to recover 17 containers that fell overboard from one of its vessels.

According to a report by Sri Lanka's Daily Mirror, the incident involving the MV MSS Graphene occurred on the morning of the day before yesterday, shortly off the Port of Colombo, when 17 empty containers were lost at sea.

Citing the Colombo Information Fusion Centre (IFC), the Daily Mirror reported that the containers fell from the MV MSS Graphene, which had departed Malé on the 28th of last month, after the vessel encountered rough sea conditions.

Speaking with Sun on Monday, MSS Chief Commercial Officer Thoha Mohamed confirmed that the containers were empty and that the vessel had been en route to Colombo to collect cargo.

Thoha explained that the containers were lost due to adverse weather conditions, including strong winds and heavy swells. He said the 17 empty containers fell overboard after the vessel was struck by a large wave, causing it to roll heavily.

"During a moment of severe weather, the ship rocked very significantly, causing 17 of the empty containers stacked on top to fall into the sea. Fortunately, there were no injuries to crew members nor any damage to other cargo. Within a short period, full control of the vessel was regained, and the remaining containers were secured," Thoha said.

He added that recovery operations could not begin immediately because of the prevailing adverse weather conditions. However, MSS's agent in Sri Lanka is now working closely with the relevant authorities to retrieve the containers.

According to Thoha, the immediate priority is to finalize a recovery plan in coordination with the relevant authorities, after which retrieval operations will commence following the necessary assessments by the agencies involved.

Following the incident, Sri Lanka's Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources issued a warning to vessels navigating the area. The department stated that the containers were lost approximately 17 nautical miles west of the Port of Colombo.

The Sri Lankan Navy has also deployed vessels to the area to monitor the situation.