The freighter Jung Soon sank in the South China Sea off the coast of Borneo near Tanjung Manis, Malaysia. The vessel was en route to Kuching from Sibu with its cargo of timber when it’s hull suffered water ingress and sank. One crew man was missing, but eleven others were able to swim to safety. Local authorities launched a search and rescue mission for the missing crewman. The incident is under investigation.
The 161 meter long, 20406 dwt container ship Wilhelm E. caught fire while berthed at Penang, Malaysia. The fire started around the boiler in the engine room. Local fire brigade and a harbor tug responded to the scene and extinguished the fire. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
The 130 meter long, 17669 dwt chemical tanker Samudera caught fire in the Malacca Strait near Pulau Kulup Island, Malaysia. The tankere was headed to Chittagong, Bangladesh from Batam, Indonesia in ballast when the fire started in the vessel’s engine room. The crew on board were unable to get the fire under control and sent out a distress call. The Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) dispatched rescue boats to the scene. Rescuers were able to save 22 of 23 crew on board the Samudera. One crew man was reported lost in the blaze. Reports state the fire was restricted to the engine room, but no effort to extinguish the blaze has been made by the authorities. The vessel was proceeding to Chittagong where it was to be scrapped.
