Salvage operations will be required for vessels sunk and grounded in Turkey, the Philippines and Taiwan
In Turkey, river-sea hybrid cargo vessel Arvin broke up and sank at anchorage near Bartin on the Black Sea coast.
The Palau-flagged vessel was sailing from Poti, Georgia, to Burgas, Bulgaria when it anchored at Bartin to shelter from a storm. Local reports said a large wave struck the 20-year-old ship and split it in two before it sank. Search and rescue teams were mobilised and rescued six of the vessel’s 12 crew, who had made it to a lifeboat; six crew lost their lives.
Also in Turkey, officials have decided that a Togo-flagged shipwreck is to be removed later this quarter as it has become a hazard to shipping. Dede has remained semi-sunken and unclaimed on rocks outside Tuzla Port since it was struck by Antigua-Barbuda-flagged cargo ship Clavigo on 28 February 2020. Tuzla Port Authority is tendering for the removal of this 71.8-m long wreck. It expects this to begin, weather permitting, in February 2021.
In southeast Asia, a reefer cargo vessel with 24 crew on board listed in adverse weather in Balintang Channel, northwest of Luzon, Philippines on 17 January 2021. Panama-flagged Kenta Maru encountered high waves and strong currents while sailing from Kaouhsiung, Taiwan to the Marshall Islands. The Philippine Coast Guard said the 1987-built ship anchored off Santa Ana, Cagayan, but started listing, endangering the crew and cargo.
Another cargo vessel ran aground in the Philippines on 18 January 2021 while carrying out local trade. Philippines Coast Guard assisted crew on ML Denrussel after it grounded off Maluso, Basilan Island.
In Taiwan, a crewless cargo ship has beached on the northern coast of Xijiyu Island on 18 January. It was identified as 1991-built cargo ship HM Foundation, managed by Hua Ming Shipping. This 7,408-dwt ship was abandoned and may have broken its towage or anchorage in the Sulu Sea or Taiwan Strait before crashing into the shore.
In Alaska, the dangers of tug operations close to a tanker terminal were highlighted when a crude carrier struck a manoeuvring tug. On 11 January, ConocoPhillips’ crude oil tanker Polar Endeavour collided with tug Courageous after completing loading operations at Valdez oil terminal. This disorientated and damaged the tug and injured a crewman on Courageous, leaving a gash in the 2001-built Polar Endeavour.
After inspection and repairs, this US-flagged tanker was able to sail on 18 January to its destination of Long Beach, California.
Challenges to shipping and safety issues will be discussed during Riviera’s series of free webinars during Q1 2021 - use this link to view details and to register for these webinars
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