The 366 meter long, 165960 dwt container ship MSC Clorinda ran aground on the Suez Canal near the 145 kilometer mark. The MSC Clorinda was headed northbound when it hit bottom. Unable to free itself, three tugs were dispatched to the scene and refloated the boxship a few hours later. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released. Reports stated the MSC Clorinda continued on its voyage from Singapore to Izmit later the same day.
The 39 meter long fishing vessel Min Shu Yu 07878 sank after collision in the Taiwan Strait near Xiamen, China. The Min Shu Yu 07878 had been struck by the 145 meter long, 12550 dwt container ship Sinotrans Xiamen which was en route to Quanzhou from Shantou. The Min Shu Yu 07878 quickly sank. Reports state only three of the 11 crew on board were rescued. The 11 crew were still reported as missing as authorities proceeded with a search and rescue operation. After the collision, authorities directed the Sinotrans Xiamen to berth at Xiamen as part of an investigation into the incident.
On December 15, the container ship Hong Yuan 02 ran aground off Small Huanglong Island near Zhoushan, China. The Hong Yuan 02 was headed to Humen from Jingtang when it struck a reef with considerable force. The hull area around the bow was breached allowing water ingress into several cargo holds. Unable to control the flooding, the Hong Yuan 02 developed a 20 degree list to starboard and the bow partially submerged.
The following day a patrol boat arrived on scene and evacuated 13 of the 21 crew on board. In addition, several crane ships arrived on scene and began salvage operations. No reports of injuries.
On December 17, the lightering of containers had removed a small number of the 864 20-foot containers and 68 21-foot containers on board. The tanker Pu Yuan 1 arrived on site and began pumping off the fuel from the Hong Yuan 02. No reports of pollution released. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
