Court orders barge in Kulhudhuffushi reef to be removed in 14 days

Civil Court has ordered that a barge that ran aground the Kulhudhuffushi reef two years ago should be removed within 14 days. 

The barge ran aground the Kulhudhuffushi reef on the northwestern side, near the airport, while it was carrying 6,000 tonnes of gravel. The incident occurred while the barge was travelling close to Kulhudhuffushi on July 16, 2023. 

Although the gravel on the barge was later unloaded, the owner of the barge has failed to remove the vessel despite repeated orders. The barge has been sold to BMC Slipway and Salvage Company. 

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) took the matter to court as the barge being left in the area is causing environmental damage, and the company has failed to comply with orders to remove the vessel. 

EPA stated that in addition to causing environmental damage, the barge being left there is causing difficulties in Kulhudhuffushi air operations. 

The company did not respond to the charges, and the court ruled in absentia. 

The Civil Court ordered that the vessel be removed in 14 days, along with cleaning any debris from the vessel and its load. 

While the EPA looks into cases of vessels running aground on reefs, any action can only be taken following a survey conducted after the vessel is removed. While the vessel remains in situ, there are no actions that the EPA can legally take besides ordering its removal. 

In court, EPA said that a survey conducted in 2023 did not show sufficient damage to the reef to call for a fine. However, they said that it is important that the area be cleaned as gravel and metal parts of the barge have since sunk in the area.