Two years and four months - that is how long an abandoned 176m bulk carrier, Seli 1, has been grounded on the shores of Cape Town's Table Bay.

It has spilled oil and there has been an explosion, and the disaster has cost the authorities millions, but no one has taken responsibility for the wreck, which was abandoned by its crew and owner in September 2009.

On Wednesday the City of Cape Town called for an urgent meeting with the ministers of transport, and of water and environmental affairs, Transnet executives and the SA Maritime Safety Authority to find a resolution.

Everyone, except Transport Minister S'bu Ndebele and Water and Environmental Affairs' Edna Molewa or their representatives, attended.

Cape Town mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said all reasonable steps to resolve the matter had been taken and the only option now was to declare a dispute with the two national government departments to force them to cooperate.

"We sent the ministers invitations by post, by fax, by e-mail, with two follow-ups . we invited them in December," said Smith.

In September, a meeting was held at the maritime authority's offices but no decisions were reached.

Spokesman for the Department of Environmental Affairs Zolile Nqayi said the department had not heard about Wednesday's meeting until a few hours before it started.

"We were not aware of the meeting, there is no malice in this. Our department has always cooperated with the city. We've had numerous meetings about Seli 1 and we've always participated.

"When there was an oil leak last year we worked closely with them and we have no reason not to go to a meeting," said Nqayi yesterday.

Smith said there are various ways in which to get rid of the hazardous vessel.

"We came up with three options - ranging from R30-million to R45-million in costs - which involve everything from blowing it up to carving it up," he said.

But the question is, "Who will foot the bill?" he said.

"We can't find a legal basis for [paying for it] . it is not a local government mandate."

The Turkish-owned Seli 1 ran aground with more than 600t of fuel and 30000 tons of coal on board. All of her 25 crew were rescued.

Poor international shipping regulation has been blamed for allowing the owner to walk away from the mess.

The SA Maritime Safety Authority has already spent R45-million on the vessel. It has pumped out most of the oil and removed the cargo of coal.

In June 2010, a welding accident on board sparked a fire. The gas explosion sent thousands of beachgoers running for cover.

In September last year, oil spilled from the wreck, affecting 1km of coastline.