Bhubaneswar, Nov. 30 -- Dense smoke billowed from coal stored in the hold of bulk carrier MV Eco Colonel Monrovia during loading operations at the IOB berth of Paradip Port late Saturday night, prompting authorities to shift the vessel to the CQ-2 berth for urgent unloading and to deploy firefighting teams.

According to sources, port control personnel noticed thick smoke emerging from the ship while coal was being loaded at the IOB berth, leading to an immediate response to avert a potential fire hazard.

The smoke increased in intensity, leading the port administration to order an immediate transfer of the ship to CQ-2, which is a berth designated for contingency operations, where the coal was offloaded under supervision.

Following the...