JUNE 20, 2013 — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.(MOL) has issued an update on the status of the containership MOL Comfort as of 23:00 JST (18:00 Dubai time) on June 19, 2013.

The five year old vessel broke into two sections, June 17, after encountering heavy weather  while under way on the Indian Ocean (see earlier story).

MOL says that the aft part is drifting near 13'00"N 61'29"E in an east-northeast direction.

The status of the fore part remains to be confirmed as visibility is limited due to adverse weather. A patrol boat that departed Port of Jebel Ali, U.A.E. on June 19 is expected to arrive at the ocean site on June 24.

Some containers might have been lost or damaged during the incident, but majority of the cargo is confirmed to be aboard the aft part. The status of the cargo on the fore part is to be confirmed.

MOL says it has contracted with a salvage company and is proceeding to rescue the cargo and hulls.

"We confirmed no large volume of oil leakage," says MOL.