On March 19, the 94.5 meter long, 4237 dwt cargo vessel Bers (IMO: 9044188) became disabled on the Bosphorus near Istanbul, Turkey. The Bers was en route from Iskenderun to Constanta when it suffered engine failure and went adrift. Authorities dispatched the tugboat Kurtarma 11 to assist. The tug took the Bers under tow and proceeded and to Ahırkapı where the cargo vessel dropped anchor. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On March 20, the 267 meter long, 58321 dwt container ship MSC Houston V (IMO: 9463281) suffered damage in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape St. Vincent, Portugal. The MSC Houston V was on a voyage from Piraeus to Liverpool when it suffered a cargo shift in a severe storm. With rough seas and winds reaching up to 55 miles per hour, the containers on the aft section of the vessel shifted with over 15 containers falling overboard and many more left precariously hanging over the side of the boxship.
The MSC Houston V was forced to seek shelter with the vessel proceeded to the port of Vigo, Spain. The boxship would be towed into port and berthed at the container terminal. No reports of injuries. Reports state 2 other container ships sought shelter during the same storm.
On March 21, the 190 meter long, 56539 dwt bulk carrier Xin Hai Tong 37 (IMO: 9594597) ran aground in the Sea of Marmara near Ahırkapı, Turkey. The Xin Hai Tong 37 was headed to Mozambique from Russia when it went aground.
Authorities dispatched multiple vessels including the tugboats Kurtarma 7 and Kurtarma 9 to assist. The tugs were able to refloat the bulk carrier and proceeded to a nearby anchorage. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.