On the evening of January 14, the 73 meter long self-propelled container barge Hermes (MMSI: 205490990) caught fire on the Ghent Ringvaart near Merelbeke, Belgium. Reports state a boiler caught fire and released dense smoke. Local authorities and fire fighters were alerted and arrived on scene to find the blaze already extinguished. The fire fighters helped ventilate the vessel and stood down an hour later. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
On November 8, the 110 meter long self-propelled tanker-barge Blue Marjan (MMSI:244376425) collided with another vessel on the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal near Sas van Gent, Belgium. Reports state the Blue Marjan sustained hull damage to its bow, but no reports of pollution released.
No further details reported.
On the morning of October 12, the 67 meter long self-propelled barge Humadivi (MMSI: 205419480) sank on the Meuse off Borgharen, Belgium. The Humadivi had departed from Bosscherveld with a cargo of white sand when it run into issues on the Meuse. The barge was caught by strong currents and was pulled into an open gate on the Borgharen weir. The stern of the Humadivi became wedge in the opening allowing the river to quickly flood into the vessel’s holds and later sinking the barge. The two crew on board were safely rescued and were unharmed.
An initial salvage with towlines was attempted, but it failed to budge the Humadivi from the bottom. Another attempt dredged around the barge, removed the cargo hatches and lightered the remaining cargo of sand, but the Humadivi could not be lifted. Several days later additional pumps and a winch cable system were able to free the vessel from the weir. The Humadivi was pulled away where it was towed to Beatrixhaven. There the vessel was completely pumped free of water so a crane could lift and place it atop another barge so it can be taken to a shipyard for repairs. Reports state most of the cargo of white sand had been washed away during the incident.
An inspection of the weir found it sustained little to no damage and the opening was closed allowing the water level to rise on the Meuse. Reports state vessel traffic could be resumed on October 19.
