Inquiry into impure fuel from MRPL

In his reply, minister of Industry and Commerce Showkutally Soodhun said that according to the State Trading Corporation’s information, the consignment was not allowed to unload and remained in the vessel.

He said, “Some 38,000 tonnes of different products which were loaded in the ship’s tank were found to be below STC’s specifications.”

The minister added, “An inquiry has been set up by the insurer of the cargo to place the responsibility in this matter.”

He said it was common practice that upon arrival of tankers in Port Louis, the surveyors of STC carry out routine checks to test the quality of products on board, prior to unloading.

The minister further stated that STC has not incurred any loss from this consignment. “The cargo is covered by an all-risk marine insurance cover policy. Therefore, the question of loss does not arise,” he added.

Soodhun explained that the MRPL is a state owned Indian company of international repute. Since August 2006, it has supplied over four million tonnes of petroleum products to Mauritius. It has also been supplying fuel to quality conscious companies like Shell and BP.