India’s Paradip Port On High Alert After Arrival Of Tanker With 21 Pakistani Crew

One of India’s major ports in Odisha, Paradip port tightened security on May 14 after the crude oil tanker MT Siren II, carrying 25 crew members including 21 Pakistani nationals, arrived and anchored about 20 kilometers offshore.

The vessel is delivering nearly 1.97 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil for Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.

The MT Siren II came from South Korea via Singapore and docked at the Single Point Mooring (SPM) terminal, a floating mooring system used for large tankers to unload oil without docking at the shore.

Paradip port has three such SPMs located 20 to 25 kilometers off the coast, connected by underground pipelines for crude oil transfer. This tanker is anchored at SPM-I, which handles very large crude carriers.

Security agencies were alerted after the Immigration Department informed the Odisha police and other authorities about the presence of 21 Pakistani crew members on board.

In response, the Odisha Marine Police, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Coast Guard, Customs Department, and port officials increased security measures immediately.

The Pakistani crew members have been instructed not to leave the ship during the entire unloading process. Only the two Indian crew members on board were allowed to disembark, but as of the latest updates, no one has left the vessel. Additionally, one crew member each from Sri Lanka and Thailand are also part of the team.

Authorities have collected passports and visas from the Pakistani nationals and are holding these documents until the crude oil unloading operation is complete.

This precaution is to ensure strict monitoring and prevent any security breaches amid the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan.

The Paradip port remains on high alert following the recent military conflict between the two countries. Armed police have been deployed at various points around the port, keeping a watchful eye on activities from a distance.

A senior official from Paradip port stated that verification of all crew documents is in progress to check for any suspicious activities or threats.

So far, no incriminating material or irregularities have been found on the tanker. All certificates and documents of the crew have been confirmed valid.

The tanker is carrying 11,350 metric tonnes of crude oil at present, with total crude onboard amounting to 196,580 metric tonnes.

The unloading operation is expected to be completed by May 15, after which the tanker will leave the Paradip anchorage immediately.

Local police and security officials said the heightened security is necessary to maintain safety and order at the port during this sensitive period.

The Paradip port comes under the jurisdiction of Jagatsinghpur district, where the superintendent of police confirmed that the Pakistani crew will not be allowed to disembark as a security measure.

References: PTI, newindianexpress

Source: Maritime Shipping News