The 292 meter long, 50415 dwt container ship Safmarine Maru collided with the 318 meter long, 108804 dwt container ship Northern Jasper off Ningbo, China. The Northern Jasper struck the Safmarine Maru causing severe damage to the Safmarine Maru. A fire broke out after the collision and the 22 crew on board the Safmarine Maru abandoned ship. No reports of injuries or pollution released. Chinese authorities dispatched firefighting vessels to bring the blaze under control.
The 366 meter long container ship MSC Fabiola ran aground in the southern end of the Suez Canal, Egypt. The MSC Fabiola was en route to Oman from Malta when it suffered engine failure. Without power, the boxship drifted aground. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released. Traffic on the canal was blocked with eight ships detained. The MSC Fabiola remain aground until the following day when it was refloated assisted by six tugs.
The 168 meter long, 20615 dwt container ship TS Taipei broke up just offshore off Taiwan. The TS Taipei had gone ashore on March 10 after suffering engine failure. The vessel remained hard aground while salvage operations attempted to remove fuel off the vessel. However, salvage was suspended due to a severe storm which also caused the vessel finally broke-in-two. The hull cracked amidships and fuel oil was released from ruptured bunker tanks. Authorities dispatched a pollution response team to the scene along with multiple boats. Booms were placed around the pollution to contain any further oil released. Reports also state that several containers have fallen overboard which may contain hazardous chemicals.
