Paradip Port Authority Rescues MT SEAGULL 9, Ensuring Safety of Vessel, Crew, Cargo and Marine Environment
Bhubaneswar, 28 September 2026 : Paradip Port Authority (PPA) successfully coordinated an emergency tug operation to rescue MT SEAGULL 9 (Call Sign: V3HN), a crude palm oil (CPO) tanker carrying approximately 9,000 MT of cargo to Paradip Port on behalf of Adani Wilmar. M/s Atlantic Global Shipping Pvt. Ltd. was the vessel’s agent.
The vessel was located approximately 35 nautical miles from the Paradip Pilot Station, at Latitude 20° 01.8′ North and Longitude 087° 18.6′ East, when it reported a main engine failure. The vessel was also listing by approximately 10 degrees to one side due to water ingress into its ballast tanks. As the rate of de-ballasting was insufficient to match the rate of water ingress, immediate emergency assistance was required.
The first communication from the shipping agency, M/s Atlantic Global Shipping Pvt. Ltd., was received at 5:01 AM on September 27, 2026, with copies marked to the Indian Coast Guard, Directorate General of Shipping and Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC).
At 6:21 AM, MRCC forwarded the communication to Indian Coast Guard Headquarters-7 for necessary assistance. Subsequently, at 9:29 AM, the Indian Coast Guard communicated with DGCOMMCENTRE for suitable assistance.
At 10:33 AM, DGMA/DGCOMMCENTRE granted permission to deploy a Harbour Tug of Paradip Port Authority, with a pilot holding a Master FG Certificate on board, to assist MT SEAGULL 9.
Between 10:30 AM and 1:40 PM, the tug was supplied with fresh water, towing rope and other necessary equipment. Harbour Tug Dolphin 25 cast off from the jetty at 1:40 PM and proceeded towards the distressed vessel, accompanied by Harbour Master Captain Indraneel Mukherjee.
The tug reached MT SEAGULL 9 at 5:24 PM. An external damage assessment was completed at 5:28 PM, following which the response team boarded the vessel at 5:30 PM. At 5:45 PM, the towing procedure was explained to the bridge team and the tow connection commenced. The tow line was successfully connected at 5:54 PM, and towing began at 5:55 PM.
The emergency operation was coordinated among the Paradip Port Authority, Directorate General of Shipping, Indian Coast Guard, Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), M/s Ocean Sparkle Limited and other concerned stakeholders.
The disabled CPO tanker MT SEAGULL 9 was successfully rescued by Paradip Port Authority’s Harbour Tug Dolphin 25, with support and coordination from the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. The coordinated emergency response enabled the safe towing and subsequent berthing of the vessel, thereby safeguarding the vessel, crew, cargo and marine environment.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Capt. A.C. Sahoo, Deputy Conservator, Paradip Port Authority. Captain S.B. Panigrahi also facilitated the necessary assistance for the vessel’s safe berthing.
The vessel subsequently entered the harbour with minimum engine assistance and was safely secured at NQ2 at 4:00 PM on September 28. The coordinated response ensured that the vessel was brought safely within Paradip Port limits and secured without further incident.
Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson, Paradip Port Authority, congratulated the marine officers, pilots, tug crew and all other stakeholders for their timely coordination, professionalism and collective efforts in ensuring the safe arrival and berthing of MT SEAGULL 9. He appreciated the coordinated maritime response that helped safeguard the vessel, crew, cargo and marine environment.
Paradip Port Authority reiterated its commitment to ensuring safe, efficient and coordinated maritime operations and providing timely assistance during maritime emergencies.