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Strait of Hormuz Collision

Strait of Hormuz Collision

 

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On the evening of June 16, the 336 meter long, 156452 gt VLCC tanker Front Eagle (IMO: 9855343) collided with the 274 meter long, 164551 dwt Suezmax tanker Adalynn (IMO: 9231767) in the the Gulf of Oman some 22 nautical miles off Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates.  The Front Eagle had departed from the Khor Fakkan anchorage fully loaded when it completed a starboard turn bound for Zhoushan.  During the maneuver the Front Eagle struck the aft port quarter of the passing Adalynn.  The collision resulted in a hull breached and massive fire on the Adalynn. The blaze quickly spread and consumed the superstructure of the tanker.  With the fire out of control the 24 crew of the Adalynn abandoned ship and rescued by UAE National Guard.  The fire had spread onto the deck of the Front Eagle.  The crew of the Front Eagle were able to extinguish the fire. No reports of injuries.

Reports state the cause of the incident may have been a navigational error on the Front Eagle.  However, there have been prior incidents of GPS signals being spoofed. UAE authorities have stated the incident is not “security related”.  News accounts stated the fire continues to engulf the Adalynn.  No word if UAE or other authorities in the area will attempt to extinguish the fire or just allow the tanker to sink.

 

Phoenix Jamnagar

Phoenix Jamnagar

Phoenix Jamnagar
Photo: Thai-Mecc

On  the early morning of June 5, the 339 meter long tanker Phoenix Jamnagar (IMO: 9828962) released pollution was unloading crude oil at a mooring off the coast of Si Racha District (13°04.225′ N, 100°46.815′ E) in Chonburi, Thailand. During the unloading a severe storm struck the area. The tanker was hit with strong winds and waves causing the Phoenix Jamnagar drift away from the mooring.

Phoenix Jamnagar
Photo: Thai-Mecc

The tanker’s  protection system automatically decoupled the Phoenix Jamnagar from the pipeline. Unfortunately, after the two disconnected there was a leak in the pipeline system and some 20,000 litres (approximately 5 tons) of crude oil was released into the sea. The leak was eventually stopped but the process took 30 minutes to complete.

Phoenix Jamnagar
Photo: Thai-Mecc

Authorities reported the incident has caused a 10 meter oil slick. A response team quickly deployed containment booms around the spill with one at 300 meters and another at 600 meters. A skimmer device was used to suction off the oil on the surface.  An aerial survey the next day found no visible oil pollution in the area.

There were no visible damage to the Phoenix Jamnagar or to the pipeline.  There were no injuries to any crew during the incident. Authorities have stated the mechanism performed as expected and the oil pollution released was accidental caused by unexpected stormy weather.

 

 

Four Aground At Chattogram

Four Aground At Chattogram

Photo: prothomalo.com

On May 30, a strong monsoon storm struck the Bay of Bengal along the coast near the port of Chattogram, Bangladesh. The storm had wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour with downpour rain and heavy seas. Several vessels that had been at anchor were blown ashore.

Near Anwara, the tugboat Navimar-3 had been detained due to the over fuel bills. The tugboat along with the barge Mermaid-3 were blown ashore.

North of Chattogram, the tanker Al Herem was driven ashore after dragging its anchors. Reports state the tanker had lost control due to the heavy seas which washed the Al Herem onto the shore. Another tanker the 116 meter long B-LPG Sophia was blown ashore. The B-LPG Sophia had been at anchor since it had suffered an explosion and fire back in October 2024. The burnt out hull drifted ashore.

With all four vessels, there were no reports of injuries.