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Tag: Belgium

Jisu Fortune

Jisu Fortune

Jisu Fortune
Photo: flows.be

On September 24, the 200 meter long, 19,160 dwt car carrier Jisu Fortune (IMO: 9981570) allided with a lock in the English Channel at the port of Zeebrugge, Belgium.  The Jisu Fortune was departing from Zeebrugge bound for Casablanca, Morocco when a strong gust of wind caused the car carrier to strike the Pierre Vandamme lock. Both the vessel and the lock sustained undisclosed damage. Authorities detained the Jisu Fortune until it could be inspected. Traffic was halted for several hours until the lock damage could be assessed. Belgium authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. There were no reports of injuries or pollution released.

The Jisu Fortune was built in 2025 and launched in May. The vessel has 12 decks that can carry 7000 personal vehicles. The car carrier also uses LNG fuel to help reduce emissions.

River Drone 4

River Drone 4

River Drone 4
Photo: hbvl.be

On the evening of August 20, the 106 meter long self-propelled barge River Drone 4 (IMO: 9973573) sustained damage on the Albert Canal near Olen, Belgium. The River Drone 4 had passed through the lock in Olen when it’s hull suffered an approximately 15 centimeter long hole near the fuel tank. The damage ruptured the fuel tank releasing some 10 tons of gas oil to be released into the canal.  The pollution formed a oil slick that was nearly 20 kilometer long with the pollution collecting along one bank of the canal.

Authorities responded by closing the lock at Olen along with placing booms upstream to contain the spill.  A pollution response team began cleaning and removing the sludge.  Reports stated the majority of the spill had been cleaned by the next day.  The water police have launched an investigation into the incident. No reports of injuries.

 

Kepejora

Kepejora

Kepejora
Photo: flows.be

On the afternoon of July 25, the 85 meter long self-propelled barge Kepejora (MMSI: 244668436) sank on the Sambre River near the Auvelais lock at Sambreville, Belgium. The Kepejora was scheduled for a voyage to Ghent from Châtelet when it sustained hull damage while loading a cargo of 1400 tons of scrap metal. The crew had not discovered the damage until the Kepejora was found taking on water.

Kepejora
Photo: lavenir.net

The vessel’s pumps could not stop the flooding and the crew requested assistance. The local fire brigade responded to scene with dewatering pumps. Unfortunately, the Kepejora‘s hull had been holed and the cargo of scrap metal needed to be lightered.  Due to the limited space at the quay, there was no way to unload the cargo before the vessel sank a few hours later.

Authorities have placed pollution barriers around the Kepejora to contain any oil pollution released. Divers were requested to make temporary repairs so that the vessel could be dewatered.