There has been a substantial uptick in vessel incidents over the last few weeks: the following is a brief update of just some new incidents and those previously reported in ISCO news, Remarkably, most of these incidents have not so far resulted in widespread oil pollution.
Wan Hai 503:
Recovery efforts continue on the Singapore-flagged container vessel MV Wan Hai 503, which is listing with the loss of some containers, although fires onboard are now extinguished. Two generators are reportedly being delivered by tug to restore power for firefighting and pumping systems. Towing will only commence once the vessel is stable, and hotspots extinguished. A 13-member team remains onboard, but the search for four missing crew members has sadly been terminated.
Maersk Sana 3:
The Maersk Sana remains in Freeport, Bahamas, after an engine room fire while en-route from Port Newark, USA to Singapore. The incident, which occurred east of Bermuda, seriously injured three crew members. A salvage tug towed the vessel to port, where repairs are now underway. No containers were lost.
MSC Baltic III:
Salvage operations on the MSC Baltic III, which is grounded in Newfoundland, continue with minor oil traces detected during surveys. Due to the vessel’s size and hull damage, the Canadian Coast Guard expects small oil leaks to persist. The hull damage is thought to be severe enough that it is unlikely the vessel will be able to be refloated. Work to remove containers and fuel continue as and when weather conditions permit.
Interasia Tenacity:
The vessel suffered a fire onboard recently, which, was said to be traced to “undeclared lithium-ion batteries carried in containers on deck”. The ship’s crew extinguished the fire with the assistance of the Indian Coast Guard.
MSC Elsa 3:
The MSC Elsa 3 sank off the Keralan coast following a failure in its ballast management system; all 24 crew were safely evacuated. 100 containers were lost, with 50 washing up along the coast. The vessel is likely to be a total loss. The Kerala High Court has ordered a sister vessel of the sunken MSC Elsa 3 detained until a security deposit is paid.
Morning Midas: The car transporter carrying about 3,000 vehicles, including around 800 EVs, caught fire and was abandoned en-route to Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico. It has now sunk in deep water.
