On the afternoon of April 8, 2025, the 82 meter long self-propelled barge Saeftinge (MMSI: 244700744) caught fire on the Western Scheldt while berthed in Terneuzen, Netherlands. The fire started in the vessel’s engine room. The local fire brigade was called and were able to extinguished the fire a short time later. Reports state the Saeftinge remained moored in Terneuzen. No reports of injuries. No details were disclosed to the extent of damage caused by the incident.
On the afternoon of April 9, the 161 meter long, 17666 dwt container ship Victoria L (IMO: 9430155) caught fire in the North Sea some 56 kilometers off Scheveningen, Netherlands. The fire started in the vessel’s engine room while en route to Rotterdam from Hamburg without cargo. The crew attempted to extinguish the blaze, but their efforts were not successful.
The Victoria L sent out a distress call with the Dutch Coast Guard responding. Multiple boats along with a fix-wing aircraft and 2 helicopters were deployed to assist the container ship. A fire brigade was transported by helicopter to the Victoria L. After a few hours after the fire started, the fire fighters were able to extinguish the blaze.
Reports state the Victoria L was able to regain power and proceeded to Rotterdam escorted by the KNRM. No reports of injuries to the 19 crew on board. The extent of damage caused by the fire was not disclosed. The incident is under investigation.
On the morning of April 8, the 120 meter long, 13762 dwt cargo vessel Hosei Crown (IMO: 9543926) collided in the Gulf of Bắc Bộ with the fishing vessel TH 92686 TS off Hải Phòng, Vietnam. The Hosei Crown struck the TH 92686 TS causing the fishing vessel to quickly sink and sending its 12 man crew into the water.
Vietnam authorities received a distress call and alerted nearby vessels to assist in the search and rescue efforts. The Hosei Crown also assisted by releasing life rafts in the area. Authorities deployed the rescue vessel SAR 411 to search the area where the fishing vessel sank. After several hours of searching, 8 crew of the TH 92686 TS had been safely rescued from the water. Unfortunately, four crew perished when the fishing vessel sank and their bodies would be later recovered.
The Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center has launched an investigation into the incident. Reports state there was fog in the area at the time of the incident.