Following the sinking of a coal carrier close to the port of Mumbai, dry bulk vessels over 25 years old will no longer be able to enter ports in Gujarat. The decision has been taken by the Gujarat Maritime Board, which decided to allow older vessels already en route to embark at the state’s ports, but has prohibited all further shipments.
This follows the sinking off the coast of Mumbai of a 27-year-old Panama-flag dry bulk carrier laden with 60,000 tonnes of coal en route to Dahej from the Indonesian port of Tutung. The incident has resulted in pollution threatening the local coastline.