New Delhi Express: Grounding at Port Newark, New Jersey

24 Apr 2006 - Please be advised that the New Delhi Express, in the IAX service (India America Express), ran aground on April 16, 2006, in the approaches to Port Newark, New Jersey. The vessel was promptly refloated but did sustain damage that will require repair.  The vessel will be drydocked in the New York area for repairs before continuing on her current voyage.

Although the New Delhi Express is operated and crewed by a third party, APL is actively involved and is working closely with the ship’s owners on service recovery efforts. Here is an update based on information currently available to APL:

The ship, her crew and her cargo are not in danger, and the repairs are expected to be straightforward.

• The vessel was able to discharge New York / New Jersey destined cargo. Some additional transhipment cargo has been discharged to permit drydocking of the ship.
• There is no sign of any cargo damage, and all reefers continue to operate normally.
• There were no leaks or spills from the ship, and there is at present no increased risk of any vessel-caused pollution as a result of this incident.

Owners have advised that they are considering the option of declaring general average as a result of this grounding. It is therefore possible that cargo aboard the vessel will be subject to general average liens. We understand, however, that there will be no salvage claims or liens in connection with this grounding.

General Average is a long established, internationally-recognized legal procedure where the vessel owners, charterers and cargo owners are required to share the cost of “any extraordinary sacrifice or expenditure . . . voluntarily and reasonably made or incurred in time of peril to preserve the ship and cargo.” The costs the vessel owners will claim will likely include expenses necessary to refloat and complete the voyage. All property owners involved in the casualty including the owners and charterers of the ship itself and the owners of all cargo and containers on board at the time of the casualty share these costs in the proportion that their own particular property (vessel, bunkers, cargo, etc.) bears to the total value of all the property put together. 

In view of the possibility of a general average declaration by the vessel owner, we recommend that you apprise your cargo insurer that your cargo is currently aboard the New Delhi Express. We will provide you with updates as we obtain more information

APL is working to expedite your cargo as soon as this is possible to do, subject of course to operational and other constraints. We will continue to keep you apprised of developments.

On behalf of APL, we regret any inconvenience caused and give you our commitment that we will keep you informed of developments as soon as we have more information.

In the meantime, if you require any additional assistance, please contact your local Customer Services or APL representative.