On March 15, the 188 meter long, 32106 dwt container ship MSC Rhiannon (IMO: 9224051) ran aground in the Sea of Marmara near Yeşilköy, Turkey. The MSC Rhiannon was en route to Tekirdağ from Romania when it grounded and was unable free itself.
Photo: KEGM
Authorities were alerted and dispatched the tug Kurtarma 9 along with the rescue vessel KEGM-3 to the scene. The vessels were able to free the boxship and the Kurtarma 9 took the MSC Rhiannon under tow.
Divers were requested to make an underwater survey of the hull for damage. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
On the evening of March 7, the 130 meter long, 7993 dwt container ship Orita (IMO: 9318931) allided with the 270 meter long, 149,686 dwt tanker Mia (unknown registry) in the Marmara Sea some 5 miles offshore of Beylikdüzü, Turkey. The Mia was at anchor when the Orita approached the anchorage and struck the aft port hull of the tanker. The Mia sustained damage with a ballast tank holed and releasing contaminated water into the sea. No reports of injuries on either vessel. The Orita did sustain visible damage, but there were no reports of pollution released from the container ship.
Reports state authorities dispatched tugs to the scene. The tugs ensured both vessels were secure while the Turkish Coast Guard determined the extent of damage to both vessels. Authorities have stated there is no large oil spill from the allision, but there were no details given on how much contaminated water was released. The Orita has been detained at the anchorage while authorities conduct an investigation. The Mia may be part of the Russian shadow fleet and was sanctioned by the United States in 2024 with falsely reporting the vessel was under the Guyana’s registry. The tanker has no listed management and has not been inspected since 2014.
On the early morning hours of February 27, the 136 meter long, 9503 container ship Oyster (IMO: 9418884) became disabled on the Bosporus near Kandilli, Turkey. The Oyster was heading to Novorossiysk from Ambarli when it suffered engine failure. Unable to restart the engines, the vessel alerted authorities and requested assistance. The KEGM dispatched the tugs Kurtarma 7 (IMO: 9598608) and Kurtarma 12 (IMO: 9854404) which took the container ship under tow. The vessels then proceeded to Büyükdere where the Oyster dropped anchor. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
