Bulk Carrier Carrying 174,790 Tonnes of Iron Ore Refloated After Grounding Off Vietnam

Vietnamese authorities have refloated the Star Bueno, a large bulk carrier owned by Nasdaq-listed Star Bulk Carriers, after it ran aground near Dung Quat Port in Quang Ngai province during strong monsoon winds and high waves. The ship was waiting to berth when it lost control in bad weather.

The Star Bueno, a 179,000-deadweight-tonne (DWT) Liberian-flagged vessel built in 2010, was carrying 174,790 tonnes of iron ore from Saldanha Bay, South Africa, to Dung Quat Port. The ship had 22 crew members on board when the incident took place on 25 October.

According to reports, the duty officer noticed the vessel’s left anchor had dragged in heavy weather, and despite using full engine power, the ship could not regain control and ran aground.

Rescue efforts were quickly launched by the Dung Quat Port Border Guard Station and the Quang Ngai Maritime Port Authority. Three tugboats, Dung Quat 06, Dung Quat 19 and Tien Minh, were sent to assist the grounded vessel.

By 29 October, the Star Bueno was successfully refloated and moved to a safe anchorage. During inspection, the captain reported that seawater had entered cargo holds 1, 5 and 7, which were later pumped out using mobile equipment.

The Quang Ngai Maritime Authority inspected the ship and asked the owner to prepare a safety and pollution-prevention plan. Officials said seawater had entered some holds but was removed during stabilisation work before further technical checks.

All 22 crew members were reported safe, according to state broadcaster Voice of Vietnam.

Authorities warned that strong monsoon winds and waves up to three metres high still posed risks of sinking, oil spills or iron ore leakage into the sea. Pollution-prevention and rescue measures were put in place to avoid further danger.

On 1 November, the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration held an online meeting with the Quang Ngai Port Authority, the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (VMRCC), the shipowner, rescue units and cargo owners to discuss urgent safety steps before Typhoon Kalmaegi arrives. The storm is expected to make landfall between 6 and 7 November, bringing heavy rain and flooding.

Officials from the Maritime Administration and VMRCC also visited Quang Ngai to supervise ongoing operations. A forward command post has been set up near Dung Quat Port with representatives from government agencies, the shipowner, rescue teams, agents and cargo owners to oversee rescue work and monitor the situation.

Dung Quat Port, located in Quang Ngai Bay, serves the Dung Quat Economic Zone and refinery complex. It handles bulk cargoes such as iron ore, coal and crude oil that support Vietnam’s steel and energy industries.

Reference: Voice of Vietnam

Source: Maritime Shipping News