Paradip Port Authority (PPA) coordinated the emergency response for MT SEAGULL 9, a tanker carrying approximately 9,000 MT of crude palm oil for Paradip Port on account of Adani Wilmar, after the vessel reported a main engine failure while about 35 nautical miles from the Paradip Pilot Station.
The vessel, operating under Call Sign V3HN, was located at approximately Latitude 20° 01.8′ North and Longitude 087° 18.6′ East when the incident was reported. Water ingress into the ballast tanks caused the vessel to list by approximately 10 degrees, while its de-ballasting rate was insufficient to keep pace with the ingress.
Emergency response initiated after engine failure
The shipping agency, M/s Atlantic Global Shipping Pvt. Ltd., first communicated the incident at 05:01 AM on 27 September 2026. The communication was also shared with the Indian Coast Guard, Directorate General of Shipping and Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC).
At 06:21 AM, MRCC forwarded the communication to Indian Coast Guard Headquarters-7 for necessary assistance. The Indian Coast Guard subsequently communicated with DGCOMMCENTRE at 09:29 AM regarding suitable assistance.
At 10:33 AM, DGMA/DGCOMMCENTRE authorised the deployment of a Paradip Port Authority harbour tug, with a pilot holding a Master FG Certificate on board, to assist MT SEAGULL 9.
Preparations for the emergency operation continued between 10:30 AM and 01:40 PM, including supplying the tug with fresh water, towing equipment and other required materials.
Tug Dolphin 25 begins towing operation
Harbour Tug Dolphin 25 cast off from the jetty at 01:40 PM and proceeded towards MT SEAGULL 9, accompanied by Harbour Master Captain Indraneel Mukherjee.
The tug reached the tanker at 05:24 PM. An external damage assessment was completed at 05:28 PM, after which the response team boarded the vessel at 05:30 PM.
At 05:45 PM, the towing procedure was explained to the vessel’s bridge team. The tow connection commenced thereafter, with the tow line connection completed at 05:54 PM. Towing began at 05:55 PM.
The emergency response involved coordination between Paradip Port Authority, the Directorate General of Shipping, Indian Coast Guard, Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, M/s Ocean Sparkle Limited and other stakeholders.
MT SEAGULL 9 safely berthed at Paradip
The disabled tanker was towed by Paradip Port Authority’s Harbour Tug Dolphin 25, with support and coordination from the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.
Following the emergency towing operation, MT SEAGULL 9 entered Paradip harbour with minimum engine assistance and was subsequently secured at NQ2 at 4 PM on 28 September 2026.
The coordinated response brought the vessel safely within Paradip Port limits and enabled its berthing without further incident, addressing risks to the vessel, crew, cargo and marine environment.
The operation was coordinated under the guidance of Capt. A.C. Sahoo, Deputy Conservator, Paradip Port Authority. Captain S.B. Panigrahi also facilitated the necessary assistance for safe berthing.
Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson, Paradip Port Authority, congratulated all marine officers, pilots, tug crew, and all concerned 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 safeguarded the vessel, crew, cargo and the marine environment.
Paradip Port Authority said it remains committed to safe and coordinated maritime operations and to providing timely assistance during emergencies.
