Press Information Bureau English Releases

Rajya Sabha

The Government is conducting an investigation into the loss of the explosive consignment meant for use by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for its Project in Afghanistan while it was being shipped from Mumbai to Afghanistan between 22nd and 23rd December 2005. Six containers containing explosive cargo for the BRO were swept over board from the deck of the ship MV EUGENIA. The manufacturer of the explosives is M/s. Premier Explosives Ltd. In accordance with the contractual conditions, the responsibility for the security, shipment, transportation, insurance and delivery to the Project in Afghanistan was that of the manufacturer. BRO was merely the consignee of these goods. The vessel MV EUGENIA was hired by the manufacturer’s shipping agent M/s Unimarine Agencies.

The ship was brought into Mumbai Anchorage on 23rd December, 2005. From the six containers, four have been extricated and their contents verified and found to be in order. Two containers are yet to be traced and the Navy is of the opinion that they may have merged with the wrecks of 2 ships, lying in the same area or drifted away. The four containers have been shifted to the premises of the manufacturer M/s Premier Explosives for destruction.

MV EUGENIA had last visited Indian Ports in July to September 2005 and was carrying authorized explosives for the Indonesian Navy. It was reportedly attacked by pirates off Chittagong Port in Bangladesh. The vessel was inspected by various agencies including the Customs Department and the Cargo was certified as a legal consignment for Indonesia. The vessel on its own request was escorted at that time from Kolkata to the entrance of the Malacca Straits by the Indian Coast Guard and Naval Units.

This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Shri BK Hariprasad in Rajya Sabha today

SKS / HS
(Release ID :15749)