OPERATION SAGAR AARAKSHA II

OPERATION SAGAR AARAKSHA II

Subject : Defence

Context: Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in coordination with Sri Lankan authorities, has been tirelessly engaged in fighting a major fire onboard the Chemical laden container vessel MV X-Press Pearl anchored off Colombo since 25 May 2021.

Concept :

• The coordinated joint operation between India and Sri Lanka undertaken to respond to potential environmental danger has been christened as SagarAaraksha-II.
• Indian Coast Guard ships, including the specialised pollution response vessel SamudraPrahari and offshore patrol vessel Vajra are standby in vicinity to respond to the developing situation.
• The ICG being an active member of South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) remains committed to its responsibility of safeguarding of the ocean environment in the region.

International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG)

• The vessel when caught with fire was carrying 1486 containers containing chemical cargo classified as International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG).
• Among other chemicals, the IMDG cargo consisted of highly inflammable Nitric Acid, Methanol, Methyl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide and Polystyrene beads.