On January 3, the 178 meter long bulk carrier Sunrise ran aground in the Black Sea off the entrance to the port of Burgas, Bulgaria. The Sunrise had departed from Brake with a cargo of pipes and was approaching the entrance to Burgas when it ran onto the shallow water. Three tugs were able to refloat the bulk carrier a short time later. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On December 30, the 190 meter long, 56009 dwt bulk carrier Bulk Jupiter sank off the coast of Vung Tau, Vietnam. The Bulk Jupiter had departed from Kuantan, Malaysia with 19 crew and a cargo of 46,400 tons of bauxite. The Japanese Coast Guard and the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (Vietnam MRCC) received a distress call from the Bulk Jupiter, but were unable to make contact with the vessel. Authorities dispatched vessels to the scene and contacted other ships in the area to look for survivors. A tug rescued one crewman in the water while other rescue vessels found the empty lifeboats from the Bulk Jupiter. Later searches found two bodies. Authorities continue to search for the remaining 16 crew members. Some reports believe the cause of the sinking was caused by the sudden lost of stability from the bauxite cargo.
The 190 meter long, 57374 dwt bulk carrier Sinar Kapuas collided with the 249 meter long, 116039 dwt tanker Alyarmouk off Singapore near Pedra Branca. The Sinar Kapuas struck the Alyarmouk resulting in some damage to the tanker’s hold and release of crude oil into the sea. No reports of injuries on either vessel. Authorities were alerted who dispatched aircraft and anti-pollution resources to the scene. Both vessels proceeded to a nearby safe anchorage. No details to how much oil pollution was released.
