A collision took place in the approaches to Mumbai at about 0935 hours local time on August 7, 2010, between the MSC container vessel MSC Chitra, and the bulk carrier Khalijia 3. MSC understands that the Khalijia 3 had recently been salvaged from a three week long grounding and was proceeding into port to discharge her cargo, still under the control of professional salvors. There were no injuries to crew.

Unfortunately, the MSC Chitra has suffered extensive damage, and grounded close to the point of the collision. Professional salvors were immediately engaged to stabilize the MSC Chitra and cargo and deal with the consequences. The salvors attended the MSC Chitra immediately with support vessels and personnel. A number of containers have broken loose from the deck of the MSC Chitra caused by the large angle of list the vessel has taken, and every effort is being made to recover them by employing as many local vessels as can be obtained to collect them. All resources that we can obtain are being mobilized, especially for the floating containers because of the adverse effect they are having on other operations at Mumbai Port.

Some of the MSC Chitra's fuel tanks were ruptured by the collision, and stopping the pollution was a priority. The latest news is that the vessel appears to be stable and the pollution has reduced to a very low level and perhaps stopped altogether. There are currently spring tides in Mumbai and the situation will be watched carefully as tidal heights fall. MSC, the salvors, and our vessel's managers have met with the authorities and have formulated plans of action with regard to each aspect of the casualty, which are being put into effect immediately. Priority is being given to recovering containers and stabilizing the condition of the vessel.

While the precise circumstances of the collision will be determined by an inquiry by the Mumbai authorities, we (MSC) have performed a preliminary review of the vessel's black box recorder. From the recording it is clear that the MSC Chitra was properly proceeding outbound within the main navigation channel when the Khalijia 3, with salvors' escort tugs in attendance, left what MSC believes was the Khalijia 3's anchorage position, and crossed the fairway ahead of the MSC CHITRA heading generally southbound and turning to port. For reasons not known to us, the Khalijia 3 unexpectedly continued turning to port, and came back to cross the fairway again, now heading in a generally northbound direction, and struck the MSC Chitra on the MSC Chitra's port side while the MSC Chitra was still properly navigating in the main channel. Therefore, it would appear that under the rules of navigation the Khalijia 3 was significantly in error. MSC, of course awaits the results of the full inquiry in due course.