IANS reported that administration in Orissa’s Paradip Port is gearing up for the removal of fuel oil from a sunken ship. A senior port official said that after experts warned that a spill could pollute the marine environment. The area is close to the nesting site of rare Olive Ridley turtles.

Mr GK Biswal deputy conservator of Paradip port told IANS that “A team of experts and divers has arrived here from Kolkata. They are examining the ship.”

He said that “They will see how the oil can be removed. It may take 10 to 15 days. No spillage has been reported from the ship so far. Our people are keeping a close watch.”

Port authorities said that they have deployed officials and taken all steps to prevent any spillage from the ship, but Mr Biswajit Mohanty coordinator of Operation Kachhapa a turtle conservation group said that he sees a threat to the turtles.

The Mongolian vessel capsized in the harbor area of Paradip port, carrying about 25,000 tonnes of iron ore fines and 900 tonnes of oil.

(Sourced from IANS)