Bulkers Collide off Weihai

China’s Maritime Safety Administration received a report of a collision between two bulk carriers off the country’s eastern Shandong Province, near the city of Weihai, April 5.

Shandong Province maritime rescue center organized search and rescue operations, and found the 97-meter, China-flagged Yang En 1 taking on water, abandoned by all 14 crewmembers who boarded liferafts and were picked up by passing vessels.

The crew of the 229-meter, Marshall Islands-flagged Maria G.O. were still onboard the ship when the search and rescue crews arrived. The Maria G.O. fared better in the collision, sustaining only minor damages.

Further inspections revealed no oil spills thus far, and there have been no injuries to the crews of both ships.

At the time of the accident, Yang En 1 was unloaded and was coming from Ningbo, Yantai.

The Maria G.O. was laden with 10,000 tons of manganese ore sailing from Tianjin, Lianyungang.

According to some media reports, Yang En 1 was berthed at the Rongcheng Yuantong Shipyard in Shidao for damage assessment.

World Maritime News Staff