A massive bulk carrier in a risky condition has been drifting in the open sea east of Male' Atoll for over two months.
According to maritime traffic data, the nearly 1,000-foot-long vessel, "Uranus 1," departed from the Port of Boffa in Guinea, West Africa, on June 14. It arrived in the vicinity of the Maldives on July 23.
"The ship is carrying minerals used in aluminum production. A section of approximately 30 feet has detached from the hull. Although it remains mobile, the vessel requested permission to dock at Male' Harbor. However, authorization has not yet been granted," a source familiar with the matter stated.
Journalists from Adhadhu observed the vessel positioned in the waters east of Male' during August.
"The ship continues to drift in that manner, occasionally entering Maldivian territorial waters. Official notices have been issued to the vessel."
The source further informed Adhadhu that after the ship recently ran out of fuel, a bunker vessel was brought in from Sri Lanka to refuel it.
He noted that if the minerals onboard were to spill into the ocean, there would be a major risk of environmental damage to Maldivian waters, lagoons, and islands, depending on prevailing currents and wind conditions.
This situation follows an incident in April where two vessels arriving from Africa entered the Male' area and docked illegally; authorities, including the military, police, and customs, only became aware of their presence a week later.
Last Thursday, amid strong winds in the Male' region, those two vessels dragged their anchor and collided with the Male' breakwater and the Sinamale' Bridge. The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has since confirmed that both vessels have drifted away and sunk.
