The Shipping Corp of India (SCI) has denied that engine or thruster failure aboard its offshore supply vessel (OSV), Samudra Suraksha, caused the chain of events that led to the fire at a Bombay High platform on July 27, claiming 11 lives and causing serious damage to the vessel.

The 25-year old vessel, owned by SCI and chartered to the offshore operator Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC), is the subject of recriminations in the aftermath of the accident, with some comments from survivors that the vessel suffered a thruster failure that caused it to collide with the platform.

However, in a statement SCI claimed that the OSV was seaworthy and fit for duty, with all statutory certificates valid.

Furthermore, there was no engine or other system failure prior to the accident.

Following the fire, the Samudra Suraksha was taken in tow, but sank on its way to Mumbai after which India's Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar told the Indian Parliament that "crucial forensic evidence" had been lost.

The revised Marpol Annex IV that deals with the prevention of pollution of the sea by sewage from ships has come into force this month.

As well as having obvious public health implications in coastal areas, the discharge of raw sewage into the sea may lead to a depletion of oxygen in the water and also cause visual pollution, which is a particular problem at some tourist resorts.

The revision to Annex IV applies to new and existing ships of 400 grt and above and all ships certified to carry more than 15 persons that are engaged in international voyages.

"Existing ships" will be required to comply with the provisions by September 27, 2008, that is five years after the coming into force of Marpol Annex IV.

The Annex requires ships to be equipped with either a sewage treatment plant, a sewage comminuting and disinfecting system or a sewage-holding tank.

Seabulk International, Inc, the recently acquired wholly owned subsidiary of Seacor Holdings Inc, has announced that it has signed an agreement to sell two of its product tankers.

The 48,000 dwt Seabulk Trust is expected to be delivered to its new owners in August and, in a separate transaction, the similar-sized Seabulk Reliant will be delivered one month later.

Both vessels are currently trading worldwide as part of the Dorado product tanker pool.

Far Shipping Lines Pte Ltd, the Chinese-based shipping company, has launched the first direct service from Chennai to a port in the Arabian Gulf with its new service to Jebel Ali that is expected to benefit mango pulp, tyre and granite exporters.

The announcement was made in a Chennai Container Terminal (CCT) press release that said the company has deployed a 1,000-TEU vessel, Budi Aman, to operate this service that made its maiden call last Monday when it discharged 66 containers and loaded 200 export containers.

According to CCT, prior to this service export and import containers were transhipped at Colombo port, resulting in additional cost in terms of feeder and transhipment charges.

Various reports indicate that several potential buyers are lining up to bid for UK-based CP Ships, which with a fleet of 80 vessels is one of the largest container lines operating on the North Atlantic.

The company that has its headquarters in London and is listed in Toronto and New York made a statement that confirmed it was involved in discussions regarding "a possible transaction" but would give no further details.

However, according to the Financial Times, China Shipping and the French line CMA CGM have joined forces in a bid to secure a deal worth more than $1.4 billion (Dh5.1 billion).

Other interested parties include the world's second largest container line, MSC, and Switzerland's Mediterranean Shipping Co.

The writer is a Dubai-based marine consultant.