Cargo ship with 22 crew goes missing

Shivam, a cargo vessel with 22 crew members on board, has gone missing for the last 11 days.  There are no reports of its whereabouts. Four crew members were from Porbandar and 18 from Jamnagar district, say sources.

"The vessel was carrying 2,000 tonnes of sugar. On March 15 it left Mumbai and was expected to reach Oman on March 25.
However, we have lost radio contact with the ship from March 20 and since then have not heard anything from the crew," says Jitubhai Gohil, owner of the 'Shivam'.

Meanwhile, sources from the fishing community believe that a severe dust storm on March 20 is the reason behind the missing vessel. "The ship may have lost its course during that time.

According to its route it might have been passing Pakistani waters and might have been captured by Pakistan Marines," a source said on condition of anonymity.

However, the ship owner is confident of finding the ship. "It seems a dust storm would not have affected their journey. The sea was good for sailing. We have registered a complaint with Indian Coast Guards and have also informed the Indian Navy. We will soon hear from them," says Gohil.