On the afternoon of January 14, the 46 meter long, 796 dwt bunker tanker Kystbunker II (IMO: 9821366) ran aground off the island of Glasøya, Norway. The Kystbunker II was was en route from Rørvik to Ålesund with bunker and lubricating oils when it went aground on the rocks off Glasøya. The tanker remained aground until it was pulled free early morning of January 15. Reports state there was no injuries, damage or pollution released. The Kystbunker II proceeded on its voyage to Ålesund.
On the afternoon of January 10, the 274 meter long, 46578 dwt tanker Eventin (IMO: 9308065) became disabled on the Baltic Sea some 14 miles north of Rügen Island, Germany. The tanker had departed from Ust-Luga bound for Port Said with 99,000 tons of crude oil when it suffered main engine failure and power blackout. Unable to restart the engine, the Eventin went adrift. German authorities deployed the support vessel Arkona (IMO: 9285811) and the tug Bremen Fighter (IMO: 9321287) to take the tanker under tow.
By the evening of January 10, the tug Bremen Fighter had taken the Eventin under tow. Reports state that two additional tugs were en route to assist with towing operations. Reports state there was rough conditions in the area with waves reaching 3 meters. Authorities have not released where the tanker will be towed. The tanker could towed either to Rostock, Swinemünde or another nearby port. No injuries to the 24 crew on board or1 pollution released.
Photo: havariekommando.de
Photo: havariekommando.de
Photo: havariekommando.de
Photo: havariekommando.de
Photo: dw.com
Photo: ndr.de
Reports state the Eventin is part of the Russian shadow fleet which operate with their AIS off and known to be in unseaworthy condition. German authorities state they have concern these vessel pose a threat to critical infrastructure and the environment.
On the evening of January 6, the 105 meter long, 4999 dwt tanker Sanwa Maru (IMO: 9847217 ) ran around off Cape Esan near Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan. The Sanwa Maru was en route from Tomakomai to Akita with 3800 kilolitres of diesel and kerosene when it stranded on rocks just off the shoreline. Initial reports stated the vessel was stable with no injuries to the 11 crew on board and no oil pollution being released.
The 2906 gt salvage tug Koyo Maru (IMO: 9966348) was dispatched the following morning on January 7 from Muroran to refloat the Sanwa Maru. Multiple attempts to pull the tanker free failed and salvage would resume on January 8. On the morning of the 8th, authorities found the Sanwa Maru had sustained hull damage with one of its fuel tanks holed. Oil booms were placed around the vessel, but some of the oil spilled has spread along the coast reaching the town of Esan. The tanker also has a 5 degree list to starboard suggesting there is water ingress into the tankers ballast tanks as well. Reports state the tanker’s holds are still intact as no diesel or kerosene has been released into the sea.
The Sanwa Maru requested that 7 of the crew be evacuated with the Hakodate Coast Guard transferring the crew safely to shore. Four crew remain on board to assist in salvage efforts. Reports state salvage plans will continue to pull the Sanwa Maru off the rocks and tow it to a nearby port. Reports state local fishermen are concern about the amount of pollution released and its impact on the local environment.
