Nine tons of bunker fuel is reported to have spilled in China's Yangtze River after an MOL capesize bulker collided with a Chinese-owned kamsarmax earlier this week.
Mitsui OSK Line's (MOL) 199,000-dwt bulker Vega Dream (built 2010) and Yangzijiang Shipping's 82,400-dwt bulker Yangze 22 (built 2022) collided late in the evening of 30 December, according to Singapore’s Maritime Port of Authority (MPA).
Singapore is the flag state for the Yangze 22, which has P&I coverage from Skuld.
“Yangze 22 reported damage to its hull and is currently anchored at Hengsha
East Anchorage for damage assessment. Yangze 22 also reported that about nine
metric tonnes of fuel oil spilled due to the collision,” the MPA said in a statement that referred to the Yangtze River by its alternative name Changjiang River.
Shanghai’s Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) and support craft supplied by the Yangze 22’s owners were said to be cleaning up the oil spill.
The MPA described the Yangze 22’s as having suffered hull damage due to the accident.
The MPA added that it is in contact with the ship management company that operates the Yangze 22 and the Shanghai MSA to offer necessary assistance.
The MPA will also investigate the incident.
P&I coverage for the Japanese-flagged Vega Dream is provided by the Japan P&I Club.
The vessel previously gained notoriety during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic when it suffered an outbreak of the deadly virus off Australia’s Port Hedland.
The ship had a spell under quarantine after several crew members tested positive.
MOL has yet to comment publicly on the collision.
