17 empty containers fall overboard from MSS vessel bound to Colombo

Several empty shipping containers have fallen overboard from a Maldives State Shipping (MSS) vessel.

According to a report by Sri Lanka's Daily Mirror, 17 empty containers fell overboard from the MV MSS Graphene on Saturday morning in waters near the Port of Colombo.

Citing the Information Fusion Centre (IFC) in Colombo, the Daily Mirror reported that the containers were lost due to rough sea conditions. The MV MSS Graphene departed from Malé on July 28^th.

Following the incident, Sri Lanka's Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources issued a warning to vessels navigating through the affected area. The department stated that the containers fell overboard approximately 17 nautical miles west of the Port of Colombo.

The Sri Lankan Navy has deployed vessels to the area to monitor the situation.

Additionally, the country's Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) has advised all vessels operating in the vicinity to exercise heightened caution. Authorities have also urged anyone who spots drifting containers to immediately report the sighting to the Radio Communication Centre of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Efforts to obtain a comment from the State Trading Organization (STO), the parent company of MSS and the government's principal trading enterprise, regarding the incident have so far been unsuccessful.