US ship to reach Alang today

The MV Oriental N,formerly Exxon Valdez,is expected to reach Alang Ship Recycling Yard for anchorage during on Saturday and not Friday evening as expected,port authorities said,adding the delay could be because of the 27-year-old ship’s engines taking time to start since the ore carrier has stayed afloat off Mumbai for several weeks.

They said permission to anchor was communicated to the ship’s master,Lobo Menville,on Thursday. As per port rules in India,Customs officials would first board the ship within 24 hours of anchoring. Later in the day,other agencies would inspect the ship for any hazardous material.

Its entry into Alang has been delayed for about a month-and-a-half due to an ongoing SC case filed by a Delhi-based activist,Gopal Krishna of Toxics Watch Alliance.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 9.