Msc-Shaula

According to a statement by the Corporate Affairs Manager of SIFAX Group, Muyiwa Akande, the container vessel, MSC SHAULA, has a maximum cargo capacity of 4,651 TEUs (containers). He said that the vessel “ is owned and operated by MSC Ship Management Hong Kong, the Asian division of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)’’. Akande said the vessel, which was the second largest container shipping operator in the world, had an overall length of 275.04 meters and the length between perpendiculars stood at 263.00 meters. “MSC SHAULA, built by the Hyundai Heavy Industries, has a maximum cargo capacity of 4,651 TEUs, while its draft and gross tonnage are 13.62 meters and 51,836 GRT respectively,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quotes him as saying Speaking on the significance of the vessel, the Group Managing Director, SIFAX Group, Mr John Jenkins, said it was historic but not coincidental that such vessel berthed at the Ports & Cargo terminal “We are delighted that history was made with the arrival of this humongous vessel in the Nigerian waters, most especially its berth at our terminal. “Ports & Cargo terminal has demonstrated over the years its leadership capability in the country’s maritime industry, particularly in the area of port terminal management, coupled with excellent customer service. “The company has made a huge investment in infrastructure and equipment at the terminal in 10 years and has also attracted a number of clients, including MSC, the operator of the vessel. Source: Business Day

The US Coast Guard ended an 11-day response effort to the "MSC Idil" on May 21 after salvage experts finalized temporary repairs to the ship’s hull off the coast of Puerto Rico. The "MSC Idil" continued its transit to Freeport where the Mediterranean Shipping Company will conduct further assessments of the ship’s condition and look into the cause of the explosion. . The container ship had suffered an onboard explosion May 11, approximately 60 nautical miles north of Puerto Rico, during the vessel’s voyge to Barcelona. The ship’s crew were able to maintain full control their cargo and prevent the discharge of pollution into the environment. The "MSC Idil" had 588,000 gallons of fuel oil and 62,000 gallons of diesel onboard at the time of the incident. Involved in the rescue operation were the U.S. Coast Guard, MSC, DonJon-Smit, Atlantic Diving, Borinquen Towing, and San Juan Towing. Among Coast Guard surface and air units that provided rescue assistance and conducted monitoring efforts throughout the response were a 45-foot Response Boat from San Juan and a 33-foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcent; the cutters "Matinicus", "Sapelo" and "Key Largo"; Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopters from Air Station Borinquen; and a HC-144 Ocean Sentry Aircraft from Air Station Miami. A Customs and Border Protection Caribbean Air and Marine Branch marine patrol aircraft also participated during initial response efforts. Report with photo: http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/coast-guard-ends-response-to-damaged-msc-container-ship-off-puerto-rico

The Coast Guard continued to closely monitor salvage efforts on May 14, 2012, to assess and repair the "MSC Idil" approximately 70 nautical miles north of Puerto Rico. The Coast Guard Cutter "Key Largo", a 110-foot patrol boat which is homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico was on scene with the container ship ready to provide any needed rescue assistance, while monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of the crew and the environment. The crew of the "MSC Idil" continued to maintain the situation stabilized and is controlling the ship’s stability using onboard water pumps to manage flooding. The vessel owner, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), has hired the commercial salvage company DonJon-Smit to conduct a salvage assessment of the vessel and effect repairs. Representatives from DonJon-Smit have been on board the vessel since May 12 afternoon to conduct their assessment. Work will continue until a viable course of action to conduct temporary repairs is determined and effected. The "MSC Idil" is reported to have 588,000 gallons of fuel oil and 62,000 gallons of diesel on board.