On the morning of December 3, the 274 meter long, 156620 dwt tanker Gloria Maris (IMO:9899997) collided with the 400 meter long, 229039 dwt container ship HMM St Petersburg (IMO: 9868364) in the Strait of Gibraltar some 9 nautical miles off Algeciras, Spain. The Gloria Maris departed from Cartagena with 25 crew in ballast struck the HMM St Petersburg which was headed to Algeciras with 24 crew on board. The bow of the Gloria Maris sustained hull damage while the HMM St Petersburg port side hull was holed, but there were no injuries or pollution released.
Authorities have detained both vessel until they could be inspected for seaworthiness and an investigation could be done into the incident.
On the early morning hours of November 1, the 179 meter long, 30,765 dwt bulk carrier Louisa Bolten (IMO: 9407049) collided with the 156.5 meter long, 26,071 dwt tanker Southern Puma (IMO: 9792008) in the Strait of Gibraltar off Algeciras, Spain. The Southern Puma was headed for Bilbao from Antwerp with a cargo of paraffin when the Louisa Bolten, en route from Avonmouth to Aliaga, struck the forward starboard section of the Southern Puma. While the bulk carrier sustained bow damage, the tanker suffered more damage on its starboard hull with at least one of the tanker’s hold breached. After the collision, authorities dispatched multiple vessels along with aircraft to the scene. Authorities found the Southern Puma had released pollution into the sea. An investigation found that 600 tons of liquid paraffin had been spilled.
The Southern Puma was escorted by four tugs to the port of Algeciras where it will transfer the cargo to another vessel before it can go into drydock. A boom was placed around the vessel to contain any further pollution released. Reports state some of the liquid paraffin released has solidified and washed ashore.
Photo: europasur.es
Photo: europasur.es
Photo: puentedemando.com
Photo: puentedemando.com
Initial reports state the Southern Puma had disabled its AIS prior to the collision. The Louisa Bolten was inspected and allowed to proceed on its voyage for Aliaga, Turkey. The incident remains under investigation.
The 102 meter long ferry Panagia Parou sank in the Bay of Algeciras at port of Algeciras (Cádiz), Spain. The ferry had sustained damage after strong winds caused the vessel’s mooring ropes to snap. The ferry struck against the pier and suffered a hull breach at the stern. With no crew on board, the flooding continued unabated and the Panagia Parou began to sink.
Port authorities were alerted and attempted to keep the ferry afloat, but the vessel had sunk by the stern with the bow up in the air. Booms were placed around the Panagia Parou as a precautionary measure. A few hours later, the Panagia Parou capsized and sank on its port side.
Photo: Shipspotting.com
The Panagia Parou had been docked at the port since March 2013 and later abandoned by its owners. Reports state the owners had failed to pay for repairs and the vessel had been detained. Authorities later emptied the vessel’s tanks and removed all fuel and oil contaminates. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
