02-Jun-2021 (1)

X-Press Feeders, operators of the container ship 'X-Press Pearl' confirm that salvors report no visible flames aboard the vessel, though smoke is still emitting intermittently from cargo holds 1, 2 and 3.

An inspection team were able to board the vessel on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 1, and reported the engine room flooded. There are now concerns over the amount of water in the hull and its effect on the ship's stability. Efforts to make a connection for towing failed after several attempts due to the tug's movement caused by the swell. The operation was aborted for safety reasons.

A team has reboarded the vessel again today for further investigations and to renew attempts to make a line connection on the bow.  If the connection is made, the ship will be towed in a westerly direction, away from the coastline. There is continued support from the Sri Lankan Navy and Indian coastguard, who remain on scene.

Ashore, contractors continue working with local authorities on their fifth day of shoreline clean up efforts to safely dispose of any debris that has washed up.

Most of the evacuated crew continue to serve out quarantine at dedicated local hotels, whilst select seafarers continue helping local police with their enquiries into the fire and are cooperating with investigators. We will respect this process and not publicly discuss operational details until the investigation has been completed.

The crew member who was transferred to a special facility in a military hospital after testing positive for Covid-19 remains asymptomatic and continues to recover from the leg injury. A second injured crew member continues to recover from his leg injuries in a local hospital.

X-Press Feeders remain fully focused on the ongoing firefighting and salvage operation and will continue cooperating with the relevant investigations into this incident.

Further information will be provided as soon as it becomes available.