The X-Press Pearl had attempted to discharge a container leaking nitric acid before it arrived in Sri Lanka and suffered a devastating blaze.
Operator X-Press Feeders said applications were made to the ports of Hazira in India and Hamad in Qatar to offload the box from the 2,743-teu ship (built 2021).
But the company was advised that there were no specialist facilities or expertise immediately available to deal with the leaking acid.
