HK-flagged MOL bulker sinks fast in collision, but all rescued

HONG KONG-flagged 178,700-ton bulk carrier heavy with iron ore, sank in 40 minutes after colliding with a smaller Liberia-flagged Hong Kong-owned bulker in fog 23 miles out to sea east of the Shangdong Peninsula. All were rescued.

The Bright Century, owned by Japanese shipping giant MOL, has collided with the much smaller 27,287-ton bulk carrier Sea Success, listed as being owned by Lihai International Shipping Co of Hong Kong and said to usually carry logs, steel or concrete.

The Indian crew of 23 on the Bright Century and a Chinese crew of 23 on Sea Success were rescued by helicopter. MOL said the Sea Success successfully docked despite damage.

The Bright Century left Dampier, Australia, with about 170,000 tons of iron ore bound for the port of Bayuquan, Liaoning province. At the time of its sinking, the vessel had around 400 tons of fuel oil and about 70 tons of diesel oil left in its tanks.

A 5,500-metre long, 1,000-metre wide oil slick has been observed, and Chinese authorities are taking the countermeasures, said the MOL statement.

(Source: www.schednet.com)