On the morning of March 6, the 118 meter long, 8985 dwt tanker Bothnia (IMO: 9485356) allided on Kiel Canal in Brunsbüttel, Germany. The Bothnia struck a bridge near a refinery resulting in 15,000 euros of damage to the bridge. Authorities launched an investigation and found the incident most likely occurred when the Bothnia had left Brunsbüttel. The crew was unaware of the tanker had struck the bridge. No reports of injuries and no pollution released.
On the afternoon of March 5, the 184 meter long, 37874 dwt tanker Conga (IMO: 9412000) became disabled on the Kiel Canal near Brunbüttel, Germany. The tanker had entered the canal when it suffered main engine failure. The vessel remained in Brunbüttel for several hours until it could make repairs. The vessel was able to proceed on its voyage until it suffered another breakdown further along the canal on March 6. Authorities dispatched two tugs to take the Conga under tow and proceeded to Kiel. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
Reports state authorities sent inspectors to check on the vessel. The Conga is suspected to be part of the Russian shadow fleet of tankers, but was not currently on the list sanctioned by the EU.
On February 21, the 157 meter long, 19800 dwt tanker Natig Aliyev (IMO: 9194000) allided with the anchored 140 meter long, 13596 dwt cargo vessel Begonia S (IMO: 9445540) in the Black Sea in an anchorage near Novorossiysk, Russia. The Natig Aliyev had dropped anchor near Novorossiysk after completing a voyage from Varna. Due to strong winds and heavy seas, the tanker’s anchor began to drag. The Natig Aliyev drifted until it struck the stern of the Begonia S. Both vessels sustained only minor damage with the bow of the Natig Aliyev and the rudder of the Begonia S. Reports state there were no injuries and no pollution released.
