13-May-2022

X-Press Feeders, operators of the container ship 'X-Press Pearl', can confirm that salvage works on the wreck have been suspended for the arriving southwest monsoon season. The Shanghai Salvage Company has successfully installed all the lifting slings and messenger wires in preparation for the removal of the wreck sections. They have now demobilised, leaving a guard vessel at the site to monitor the situation during the monsoonal months. Their engineering works ashore continue at full capacity, with assets being prepared for the lifting and recovery of the two wreck sections during the first quarter of 2023.

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In the area between the beachline and 10-meter water depth, NARA completed surveying an area of about 42 km2 adjacent to the coastline north of Colombo. A total of 41 targets were identified, and 36 have been surveyed so far by local Divers, with MEPA officers observing that none were related to the X-Press Pearl. On the beaches, cleaning works, and processing of some of the cargo debris continues.

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Efforts toward lifting the travel ban for the Russian Captain, Vitaly Tyutkalo, are ongoing. Unfortunately, he has now been away from family and friends for more than eleven months, with the constant burden on him and his family taking a heavy toll. 

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We are continuing to support the Master and his family and hope to see him released and repatriated as soon as possible.