PARADIP: Fire broke out in MV Tamil Nadu during export of thermal coal from Paradip port to Ennore port in Tamil Nadu on Monday night.
Sources said some workers noticed smoke billowing from hatch No. 5 of the vessel where 28,000 tonnes of thermal coal had been loaded for transport to NTPC Tamil Nadu Energy Company Limited (NTECL), which had placed order for the consignment.
Authorities of Paradip Port Trust (PPT) received a distress message from MV Tamil Nadu following which, PPT Chairman Rinkesh Ray rushed to the spot with two teams of fire brigade personnel, who extinguished the fire.
Sources said PPT has mechanised coal loading berth while Ennore Port has mechanised coal unloading berth. Huge quantity of thermal coal stored in port area for export is exposed to heat and due to self-oxidation, the exposed coal seam and stockyards of the coal catch fire, said sources. The same coal was loaded through conveyor belt on Monday night leading to the incident.