Indian Coast Guard Prevents Major Maritime Disaster as Flooding on Chemical Tanker MT Seagull 9 Is Stabilised

The Belize-flagged vessel, carrying 9,000 metric tonnes of palm oil and 23 crew members, developed engine failure and flooding off Paradip, Odisha. A specialised Coast Guard team stabilised the tanker and prevented it from capsizing.

New Delhi, September 28, 2026: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has averted a potential maritime disaster after responding to a distressed foreign tanker that suffered engine failure and severe flooding off the Odisha coast.

The Belize-flagged chemical tanker MT Seagull 9, carrying 9,000 metric tonnes of palm oil with 23 crew members onboard, issued a distress call at around 7:30 am on September 27 after its main engine failed and flooding in its ballast tanks caused the vessel to tilt dangerously.

The tanker was located approximately 37 nautical miles east-southeast of Paradip, Odisha.

Responding swiftly to the emergency, the Indian Coast Guard deployed ICGS Vishwast to the location, where a specialised damage-control team boarded the unstable vessel to contain the flooding and prevent it from capsizing.

The Coast Guard’s specialised damage-control team deployed submersible de-flooding pumps and advanced equipment to tackle the flooding onboard the tanker.

During the operation, the team successfully arrested the leakage, sealed two damaged seawater pipelines and contained a third fractured pipeline.

Working in coordination with the vessel’s crew, the Coast Guard carried out simultaneous cargo-transfer and de-flooding operations, bringing the tanker under control and eliminating the immediate threat of capsizing.

The operation involved coordinated efforts to stabilise the vessel under challenging conditions.

Additional Coast Guard Assets Deployed to Prevent Pollution

To strengthen the response, the Indian Coast Guard diverted a Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) and an additional Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) to the location.

The additional assets were deployed to enhance pollution-response capabilities and maintain continuous monitoring of the situation.

Meanwhile, ICG Dornier aircraft operating from Bhubaneswar conducted aerial surveillance to assess the vessel’s condition and monitor the surrounding waters.

A minor palm-oil sheen observed near the tanker on September 27 was confirmed to have fully dissipated during follow-up aerial sorties on September 28.

The Coast Guard said pollution-response protocols remain active to safeguard the marine environment.

MT Seagull 9 Towed Towards Paradip Anchorage

Following the stabilisation of the tanker, Paradip Port Authority tug Dolphin took MT Seagull 9 under tow towards the anchorage area off Paradip.

Repairs to the vessel’s main engine are currently underway with technical assistance from the Coast Guard team onboard ICGS Vishwast.

The Coast Guard’s specialised teams and supporting assets remain deployed at the location, maintaining round-the-clock monitoring and providing operational assistance.

Coast Guard Maintains Round-the-Clock Vigil

The operation involved coordinated efforts between the Coast Guard, the distressed vessel’s crew and Paradip Port Authority to contain the emergency and prevent further escalation.

With the flooding stabilised, the tanker under tow and engine repairs underway, the Coast Guard continues to monitor the situation while maintaining readiness to respond to any further developments.