Shipwreck Log

The 290 meter long, 185827 dwt bulk carrier Cape Med collided with the 169 meter long, 22271 dwt freighter Le Sheng off Algeciras, Spain. The Cape Med had departed from Gibraltar when it was struck by the Le Sheng which was approaching Algeciras. The Le Sheng’s bow was crushed while the Cape Med suffered damage to a ballast tank resulting in water ingress. No reports of injuries. Both vessels were detained and dropped anchor in the Bay of Gibraltar to await surveys. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Collision in Quanzhou Bay

May 30, 2014 Paul Hancock

The 200 meter long container ship Hanjin Ningbo and the 115 meter long bulk carrier Fortuna 98 collided in Quanzhou Bay near xiangzhi, China. The Hanjin Ningbo struck the Fortuna 98 in the early morning hours. The Fortuna 98 suffered damage to its ballast tanks and sustained water ingress resulting in a power blackout. All 7 crewmen on the Fortuna 98 safely transferred to the Hanjin Ningbo. No reports of injuries. The Fortuna 98 was taken under tow the following day to a nearby port.

Shoko Maru Explosion

May 29, 2014 Paul Hancock

The 2242 dwt chemical tanker Shoko Maru exploded while in the Japan Sea off Kobe, Japan. The tanker was anchored with only ballast after off loading heavy oil at a nearby port when fumes from the cargo tanks exploded. Seven crew were rescued, but many suffered burns and were hospitalized. The master of the vessel was reported missing and presumed lost.

The Shoko Maru suffered extensive damage from the explosion and resulting fire. Coast Guard and fire fighting vessels were able to extinguish the blaze, but the tanker sustained too much damage and sank bow a short time later. Reports state the explosion was started by a spark while a crewman using a grinder to remove paint off the cargo deck.