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Tag: Container ship

MSC Elsa 3

MSC Elsa 3

MSC Elsa 3
Photo: Indian Navy

On the early morning of May 24, the 184 meter long, 22994 dwt container ship MSC Elsa 3 (IMO: 9123221) capsized and sank in the in the Arabian Sea some 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, India. The MSC Elsa 3 departed just a day before from Vizhinjam bound for Kochi with 640 containers when it suffered water ingress along its starboard hull.  The flooding could not be controlled and one or more holds became flooded.  The container ship developed a sharp list to starboard.

The 24 crew on board the MSC Elsa 3 had set out a distress call before abandoning into 2 life rafts. Indian authorities dispatched vessels and aircraft in a search and rescue for the survivors. The Indian Coast Guard rescued 21 of the crew while 3 crew members remained on board in hopes to salvage the container ship.  Before any salvage plans could be executed, weather conditions worsen and the Indian Navy removed the final 3 crew members off the MSC Elsa 3.  The Container ship would finally roll over onto its starboard hull and sink.  No reports of injuries.

Authorities state there is concern of both oil and hazardous cargo pollution being released from the incident. A large oil slick was visible over the area where the container ship sank and multiple containers were adrift in the water. The MSC Elsa 3 had 25 containers of hazardous cargo along with 367 metric tons of fuel oil and 84 tons of diesel fuel. Indian Authorities have deployed teams to monitor the area for pollution. Alerts to the public warned of oil pollution may washup along the shoreline and should keep distance from any containers that reach shore. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

The MSC Elsa 3 had a prior incident in 2016. The container ship had struck a bulk carrier in an anchorage off Yemen and sustained some damage to its forecastle.

 

NCL Salten

NCL Salten

NCL Salten
Photo: x.com

On the early morning of May 22, the 135 meter long, 11135 dwt container ship NCL Salten (IMO: 9252773) ran aground in the Trondheims Fjord near Lauset, Norway. The vessel had departed from Aalesund when it went off course and driven ashore with its bulbous bow out of the water almost striking a nearby house just meters away. Authorities arrived on site made an initial attempt to free the NCL Salten, but the container ship was firmly aground.

Reports state there were no injuries to the 16 crew on board and no pollution was released. Authorities launched an investigation into the incident. When questioning the crew, the police notified the crew as being under criminal suspicion. The specific crime was not disclosed at this time. Reports state another attempt to refloat the NCL Salten will be attempted on the next high tide assisted by multiple tugs.

 

 

Pacific Memory II

Pacific Memory II

Cosco Development

On the morning of May 20, the fishing vessel Pacific Memory II collided with the 366 meter long, 140609 dwt containership Cosco Development (IMO: 9472139) in the Singapore Strait some 17 miles from Pedra Branca Island, Singapore. Reports state the Pacific Memory II lost stability after the collision causing the vessel to nearly capsize. There was confusion on the fishing vessel as several crew members were asleep at the time of the collision while others were thrown overboard into the water. A nearby 229 meter long, 82740 dwt bulk carrier Andros Spirit (IMO: 9592537) was able to rescue 30 crew members from the Pacific Memory II.  Indonesian authorities transferred the survivors to an Indonesian rescue vessel.

Andros Spirit

No details reported if the Cosco Development sustained any damage from the incident. The number of crew on board the Pacific Memory II was not disclosed. The incident is under investigation.