Global classification society Germanischer Lloyd (GL) is urging the establishment of a mechanism to cope with stricken ships at sea close to European waters.
GL said coastal European nations set a bad example in refusing to offer a berth for the severely damaged MSC Flaminia during the summer for fear that this might adversely affect their coastal environment, reported London's Containerisation International.
The 6,750-TEU vessel suffered from a massive explosion and the subsequent fire aboard last July when sailing to Antwerp. After the incident, the vessel encountered tremendous difficulties in seeking a port of refuge and thus failed to be towed back into a port for almost two months.
The UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands all refused the MSC Flaminia a berth. The German-owned ship was finally taken to JadeWeserPort in Wilhelmshaven, Germany eight weeks later.
The British Maritime and Coastguard Agency defended itself that it was not able to get adequate information from the ship's operator, Reederei NSB, about the updated situation of the vessel and the burning cargo.
Germanischer Lloyd COO Torsten Schramm said this kind of situation should not happen again. It is now going to meet the European Maritime Safety Agency, flag states and maritime authorities to discuss how to set up a coordinated emergency response system for European shipping.
To avoid any coastal state using any excuse to not offer a rescue, Germanischer Lloyd said part of the solution is to encourage all ships to be signed up to that emergency response scheme so that detailed ship specifications, drawings and relative documents can be presented for instant help, especially for seeking a shelter.
But Germanischer Lloyd admitted that making such a practice compulsory for all vessels in European waters might be criticised as protectionism.
The MSC Flaminia is undertaking a thorough repair and expected to return to service afterwards. Causes of the ship's explosion still remain a mystery.
|
