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Update: Tsavliris refloats grounded bulker in Maldives
Navios Amaryllis, the 58,735-dwt bulker that ran aground on a reef off the Maldives archipelago in the Indian Ocean, has been refloated and towed to port, according to salvors
Greece-headquartered salvage group Tsavliris led the operation to free the Navios-owned bulker vessel.
Tsavliris said the vessel, sailing in ballast, grounded on Rasfaree reef in the Kaafu Atoll in the Maldives island chain during a voyage from Tuticorin, India to Saldanha Bay, South Africa.
"On the same day, Tsavliris was contracted under Lloyd’s Open Forum and mobilised tugs, namely anchor handling tug supply vessel Virgo and Maha Wewa, [along with] equipment and personnel. All necessary environmental precautions were taken to protect the environmentally sensitive area," Tsavliris said.
Tsavliris said its team worked closely with local authorities and subcontractors including environmental pollution specialist Polyeco.
"Before refloating the vessel, about 1,600 tonnes of bunker fuel and lubricants were transferred from lower to topside tanks to prevent the pollution risk," the company said. "On 29 August, the casualty was successfully refloated without any oil spill and the vessel is anchored at the Ports Limited area, Male.
The Maldives Transport Authority and the EPA have reportedly said the vessel will only be held in the Maldives pending payment of damages for damage to the reef or a deposit of MVR100m (US$6.5M).
27 August 2021
A Lloyd’s Open Forum contract report showed Tsavliris Salvage as the salvor for Navios Amaryllis, a 58,735-dwt bulker owned by Greek shipowner Navios that ran aground on a reef off the Maldives island chain in the Indian Ocean. Lloyd’s Salvage Arbitration Branch listed the location of the grounding as a reef off the capital Malé.
AIS tracking platforms have listed the vessel’s position at a latitude and longitude of 4.404825° / 73.34963° and AIS maps show two Sri Lanka-flagged tugs in the vicinity of Navios Amaryllis. The tugs on the scene of the incident are 2004-built, 3,342-gt Virgo and 2000-built, 466-gt Maha Mewa.
Panama-flagged Navios Amaryllis was sailing from India to South Africa on 19 August when the vessel was left adrift, according to local authorities.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said the vessel “suffered an engine failure”, adding that MNDF had deployed its Coast Guard in response.
"MNDF Coast Guard, along with related government authorities, has been active after receiving reports of a stranded cargo ship west of K.Rasfari. Travelling from India to South Africa, the cargo ship carrying 19 Philippine nationals was stranded after facing engine failure. MNDF Male’ Area Coast Guard Squadron was dispatched following a report received by MNDF Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Center," the statement said.
MNDF said the vessel’s owners, Navios, are "co-ordinating with related government authorities" and all involved are "taking measures necessary for the ship registered in Panama to resume its journey".
The 19 crewmembers were all confirmed safe by Navios Shipmanagement.
Local news outlet The Edition reported that Environmental Protection Agency Maldives director Riffath Naeem had confirmed damage to the coral reef where Navios Amaryllis grounded and also reported that "no substances have yet been released from the ship," according to a Transport Authority of Maldives inspection.
Local media also reported that the Maldives Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation had sought to blame the vessel’s captain for any damage to the reef.
A Navios Maritime Partners’ fleet listing shows Navios Amaryllis is currently chartered out until the end of August 2021 at a rate of US$8,835 a day.
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