The container ship Horizon Trader was accused for illegal discharging of Persistent Organic Pollutants, asbestos and possibly with radioactive substances off North Maharashtra near Hazira, Gujarat in India. The ship laden with radioactive substances and organic pollutants, reported engine problem and blackout in the area with intentions to discharge the toxic waste into the Indian ocean. At the scene of the accident was dispatched salvage tug, which should assist with towing of the container carrier to Alang port in Gujarat, India. The ship AIS was turned off and her position was unknown, but according to local authorities and international toxic waste watchdogm, the vessel intended and even succeeded to discharge toxic products off North Maharashtra. 

After two days of monitoring, finally the disabled container ship Horizon Trader and the towing tug Gauntlet were spotted in Mauritius waters performing salvage operation to Alang port. According to the Basel Action Network (BAN), the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Mumbai, and the Coast Guard the American vessel Horizon Trader has falsely claimed blackout but reportedly has the intention of dumping toxic waste into Indian waters. However, the vessel might be stranded due to commercial dispute of the shipowner and sales agreement. 

The container ship Horizon Trader is owned by US shipping company Matson Inc, which has sold Horizon Trader for primitive ship breaking at Alang. The cargo vessel was last owned by All Star Metals of Brownsville, Texas. Basel Action Network has also obtained the original memorandum of agreement for the sale of Horizon Trader, which shows that the buyer would responsibly recycle the vessel in USA. The vessel will be under monitoring and detained in Indian waters before further investigation of the agreement and check for traces of toxic waste, which might put country’s maritime security and environment at risk. 

“The Gauntlet has restricted mobility because it is towing the Trader but as soon as the tug leaves the vessel it appears there is no way of keeping track of the Trader”, said the New Delhi-based activist from Toxic Watch Alliance, Gopal Krishna.  

The container ship Horizon Trader (IMO: 7326233) has overall length of 248.00 m, moulded beam of 27.00 m and maximum draft of 6.70 m. The deadweight of the vessel is 31,446 DWT and the gross tonnage is 28,212 GRT. The ship was built in 1973 by Ingalls Shipbuilding in their shipyard in Pascagoula Ms, USA.  

 

Author: Svilen Petrov

Source: http://www.newsmaritime.com/2016/horizon-trader-ship-accused-for-discharging-of-toxic-waste-in-indian-ocean/