The 80 meter long tanker Hordafor V capsized while in drydock at the Nauta Repair Shipyard in Gdynia, Poland. The floating drydock had lost stability and rolled over on its side spilling the tanker into water. No reports of injuries. Authorities laid out booms to contain any pollution released.
On April 19, the 119 meter long, 7124 dwt tanker Usichem caught fire in the Mediterranean Sea near Rhodes, Greece. The Usichem was headed to Sudan from Turkey with 5900 tonnes of sunflower oil when a fire broke out in the engine room. The vessel’s crew quickly responded and were able to extinguish the blaze. However, the fire had damaged the engine and the tanker went adrift.
The Usichem contacted the Greek Coast Guard who dispatched a helicopter, lifeboat and patrol vessel to the scene. Rescuers stood by and monitored the situation as a tug was requested to take the tanker under tow. The following day, a tug arrived and proceeded to take the Usichem under tow. Both vessels arrived in Rhodes a few hours later. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
The 141 meter long, 7036 dwt tanker VF Tanker 7 exploded while berthed at a shipyward in Varna, Bulgaria. The explosion and subsequent fire occurred while repair worker was welding in a ballast tank. The local fire brigade were alerted and later extinguished the blaze. No further details reported.