The 121 meter long, 11,382 dwt cargo vessel Asakaze ran aground between Minamichita and Himaga Island, Japan. The Asakaze was en route to Kunuura with 10,000 tons of raw sugar from Bangkok when it ran unto shallow water. No injuries to the 18 crew, damage or pollution released. Authorities state a salvage vessel was en route to help refloat the Asakaze.
On November 12, the 75 meter long, 2346 dwt cargo vessel Hong Yan caught fire while berthed at Kawasaki, Japan. The vessel was loaded with 600 tons of scrap metal when a fire broke out in the cargo hold. All 10 crew on board safely evacuated. No reports of injuries. Local firefighters and fire boats were called to the scene. Reports state it took over 30 hours to extinguish the blaze.
The 101 meter long, 4965 dwt tanker Sulphur Garland collided with the 90 meter long, 2018 gt tanker Wako Maru No. 2 in the Shimonoseki Strait near Shimonoseki City, Japan. The Sulphur Garland struck the Wako Maru No. 2 on its starboard hull. The Wako Maru No. 2 was holed and released some 13,000 litres of fuel oil was spilled into the sea. Reports state an oil slick formed around the tanker. The bow of the Sulphur Garland was crushed, but no reports of pollution released. No reports of injuries on either vessel. Authorities dispatched vessels to the scene to collect some of the pollution from the sea and place booms around the Wako Maru No.2.