On April 6, the 97 meter long, 6033 dwt cargo vessel Xiang Zhou collided and sank off Nantong, China. The Xiang Zho was en route from Nantong to Busan, Korea with 4,000 tons of steel coils when it was struck by a lighter vessel some 13 miles off  shore.  The Xiang Zhou quickly capsized and sank.

Chinese authorities were alerted and launched a search and rescue operation. Some five patrol boats, 10 commercial vessels and several tugs began a search in the area for survivors. The rescuers found 2 crew and rescued them from the water. However, 12 crewmen are still reported as missing.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.