Kobe – Shipwreck Log

Kyuei Maru No. 18

September 5, 2018 Paul Hancock

On September 4, the 30 meter long, 442 gt tugboat Kyuei Maru No. 18 and the 2500 gt crane barge Tukasa ran aground on a breakwater at Hyogo, Kobe, Japan. The vessels had been at anchor when typhoon Jebi made landfall nearby. Strong winds caused the anchor lines to drag and the vessels were blown up on a breakwater. Both the Kyuei Maru No. 18 and the Tukasa sustained hull damage. Reports state an oil boom was placed around the Kyuei Maru No. 18 as some fuel pollution had been released. No reports of injuries.

Collision off Kobe

May 10, 2018 Paul Hancock

On May 4, the 141 meter long, 11,913 dwt container ship SITC Osaka collided with the 338 meter long, 103,207 dwt container ship NYK Venus near Rokko Island, Kobe, Japan. The SITC Osaka was entering Kobe while the NYK Venus was leaving he harbor when the two vessels collided. Initial reports stated the NYK Venus did not sustain significant damage and was allowed to continue on its voyage. The SITC Osaka sustained damage to its port stern section above the waterline.

On May 10, still berthed in Kobe unloading containers, a fire broke out among one of the damage containers on the stern section of the SITC Osaka. Authorities dispatched fire fighting crews to the scene along with fire boats. The fire burnt several containers, but there were no reports of injuries.

Shoko Maru Explosion

May 29, 2014 Paul Hancock

The 2242 dwt chemical tanker Shoko Maru exploded while in the Japan Sea off Kobe, Japan. The tanker was anchored with only ballast after off loading heavy oil at a nearby port when fumes from the cargo tanks exploded. Seven crew were rescued, but many suffered burns and were hospitalized. The master of the vessel was reported missing and presumed lost.

The Shoko Maru suffered extensive damage from the explosion and resulting fire. Coast Guard and fire fighting vessels were able to extinguish the blaze, but the tanker sustained too much damage and sank bow a short time later. Reports state the explosion was started by a spark while a crewman using a grinder to remove paint off the cargo deck.