On April 17, the 190 meter long, 53,408 dwt bulk carrier Syros Trader (IMO: 9395214) caught fire with berthed at the West Poortweg Quay in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The fire started from an electrical short in the vessel’s wiring. Authorities were alerted and deployed the local fire brigade. The fire fighters were able to extinguish the blaze. No reports of injuries or pollution released. The extent of damage to Syros Trader was not disclosed.
On the evening of April 15, the 144 meter long, 20421 dwt dredger Hong Hai 16 (IMO: 8665870) capsized in the Mindoro Strait off Barangay Malawaan, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. The Hong Hai 16 had lost stability while dredging a short distance off the coast.
A video caught the vessel listing heavily to port before it suddenly rolled over in less than a minute. Of the 25 crew on board the sand dredger, 14 crew were able to escape and found in the water near the hull.
The Philippine Coast Guard arrived on scene and began a search and rescue operation looking for the missing crew. The initial search found the body of one crew member. Divers were brought to the site and began searching within the Hong Hai 16‘s compartments. Divers would find 3 more bodies trapped inside the vessel. The Coast Guard states there is some hope the missing crew members may be found alive possibly in the engine room.
An oil sheen was spotted around the overturned Hong Hai 16. The Coast Guard deployed booms around the stern off the hull to contain the pollution.
Authorities have contacted the vessel’s owner to start salvage operations. The Coast Guard has asked ship’s owner to hire an accredited salvor while it conducted an underwater survey and risk assessment. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
On the afternoon of April 16, the 234 meter long, 27687 dwt ro-ro car carrier Delphine (IMO: 9789245) caught fire while berthed at Zeebrugge, Belgium. The fire started on the vehicle deck where a cargo of electric vehicles were being stored. Reports state the deck filled with dense black smoke. Everyone on board the Delphine was safely evacuated to shore. No injuries reported.
Reports state the local fire brigade arrived aided by 3 fire tugs to contain the blaze. Authorities stated the vessel’s carbon dioxide fire suppression was able to contain the fire after the deck was sealed off. Fire fighters are monitoring the vessel in case the fire would flare up again.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. News reports suggest it may have started by one of the batteries on an electric vehicle. The amount of damage cause by the fire had not yet disclosed.