- Vessel carrying 174,790 tonnes of iron ore loses control while waiting to berth.
- Anchor drag in heavy weather led to loss of control and grounding.
- Rescue teams deploy three tugboats to refloat the vessel by October 29.
A large bulk carrier found itself stuck near Dung Quat Port in Quang Ngai province after losing control due to fierce monsoon winds and towering waves. This incident happened while the ship was waiting to dock in some pretty rough weather, reports Marine Insight.
Iron Ore Cargo and Crew Details
The vessel, flying the Liberian flag and weighing in at 179,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT), was built in 2010 and was carrying 174,790 tonnes of iron ore from Saldanha Bay, South Africa, to Dung Quat Port. At the time of the grounding on October 25, there were 22 crew members on board.
Cause of the Grounding
According to reports, the left anchor dragged during the severe weather, causing the ship to drift off course. Even though the crew tried to regain control by using full engine power, they were unable to do so, which ultimately led to the grounding near the port.
Swift Rescue Operations
The Dung Quat Port Border Guard Station and the Quang Ngai Maritime Port Authority sprang into action with rescue efforts. They deployed three tugboats, Dung Quat 06, Dung Quat 19, and Tien Minh, to help out. By October 29, the carrier was successfully refloated and moved to a safer anchorage.
Seawater Ingress and Stabilisation
An inspection found that seawater had entered cargo holds 1, 5, and 7, which were then pumped out using mobile equipment. Authorities asked the vessel’s owner to provide a safety and pollution-prevention plan. The Quang Ngai Maritime Authority confirmed that all 22 crew members were safe and that stabilisation work was completed before any further inspections.
Environmental and Safety Risks
Officials cautioned that the strong monsoon waves, reaching up to three meters high, continued to pose risks of sinking, oil spills, or iron ore leakage. Preventive measures were implemented to protect against environmental damage and ensure the vessel’s stability.
Preparations Ahead of Typhoon Kalmaegi
On November 1, the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration held an urgent online meeting with port authorities, rescue teams, and cargo stakeholders to discuss critical safety measures ahead of the storm, which is expected to hit land between November 6 and 7. Senior officials made their way to Quang Ngai to oversee the ongoing operations, and a forward command post was set up near Dung Quat Port to ensure effective coordination for rescue efforts, pollution prevention, and monitoring.
Importance of Dung Quat Port
Nestled in Quang Ngai Bay, it serves as a vital entry point for the Dung Quat Economic Zone and the refinery complex. The port is essential for handling bulk cargoes like iron ore, coal, and crude oil, all of which are key to supporting Vietnam’s steel and energy sectors.
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Source: Marine Insight
