01-Apr-2022

X-Press Feeders, operators of the container ship 'X-Press Pearl', report that all cargo debris outside the wreck's 1,000-meter safety zone has now been recovered from water depths over 10 meters, including the final two nurdle containers. Resolve Marine is no longer engaged in any offshore activities, and its chartered support vessel MMA PRESTIGE has been demobilised and returned to Singapore. Resolve continues its work onshore to confirm that all recovered cargo debris is processed in Sri Lanka according to the relevant waste disposal laws. 

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The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) was contracted to survey the area between the beachline and 10 meters water depth, with around 75% of the survey area now assessed. A local diving firm has been engaged to verify and recover those targets belonging to the X-PRESS PEARL, with works scheduled to be completed before the onset of the southwest monsoon season at the end of April. 

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Initial work by the Shanghai Salvage Company to clear debris inside the 1,000-meter safety zone has been suspended until the removal of the wreck is completed. The removal process is well underway, with 52 of the 64 planned lifting slings already in place installed, with the remaining 12 to be installed throughout April. 

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On the Sri Lankan beaches, Oil Spill Response Limited and local resources are still clearing affected areas from plastic nurdles and other debris related to the incident. 

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X-Press Feeders continue to work with the Sri Lankan authorities towards lifting the travel ban for the Russian Captain, Vitaly Tyutkalo, the only remaining crew member in Colombo. He has been away from family and friends for more than ten months, with the ongoing burden on him and his family taking a mental and physical toll. 

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