A Taiwanese cargo ship tentatively identified as the De
Xing was struck by an unknown cargo ship early in the morning of October 28th
west of Penghu, Taiwan, Taiwan Strait, and subsequently broke in two and sank.
Of the 13 crew on board, nine were rescued, two were recovered dead, and two,
including the Captain, were missing. The De Xing was en route from Kaohsiung to
Kinmen islands, and was understood to be a Taiwanese coastal freighter.
Unfortunately the name is a common one – usually applied to Chinese vessels,
and the only Taiwanese candidates are registered as fishing vessels. So details
remain scarce.
Bulk carrier Junior (IMO 9548213) lost power during
the afternoon of October 30th and drifted towards the Penghu islands
in the Taiwan Strait. The vessel dropped anchor but the anchor dragged in the
exceptionally strong wind. As of late on October 31st local time the
vessel appeared still to be dragging anchor towards the islands. Tugs were
unable to assist the troubled ship because of the stormy weather, a result of
typhoon Nalgae. The Junior was en route from Vietnam to Ningbo. As of November
1st the vessel was reported as underway (no mention of use of
engine) in the Taiwan Strait, north of Penghu.
2012-built, Liberia-flagged, 51,208 gt Junior is owned by
Global Horizon Shipping Ltd care of manager Transmed Shipping Co Ltd of
Strovolos, Cyprus. It is entered with North of England on behalf of Global Horizon
Shipping Ltd.
Cement carrier Xing Shun No 1 (IMO 9665451) was
abandoned by its crew during the afternoon October 31st local time
in the Taiwan Strait some 35nm south-west of Taichung, Taiwan, after an engine
failure in rough weather conditions that were caused by typhoon Nalgae. Of the 17
crew, five who went into the life raft were rescued by a passing container
ship, but 12 who were in a lifeboat were still missing. An SAR is under way.
XING SHUN NO 1 was en route from Vietnam to Taichung Taiwan. As of lunchtime
local time on November 1st the whereabouts of the vessel were
unknown.
2014-built, Panama-flagged, 6,186 gt Xing Shun No 1 is
owned and managed by Jin Shun Maritime Ltd of Hong Kong, China. No AIS since
October 31st when vessel was in Taiwan Strait west of Mailiao,
Taiwan.
/vehicle RoRo Alexandra L (IMO 7419626)’
allided with cargo ship Zilos (IMO 9199206) during the afternoon of
October 29th while the latter was berthed in Neos Molos at
Drapetzona, Piraeus. Both vessels suffered damage but no injuries or pollution
have been reported. An investigation into the cause of the accident is
underway.
1975-built, Greece-flagged, 6,496 gt Alexandra L is owned
and managed by Kefalonian Lines Shipping Co of Athens, Greece. No AIS since
June 9th, when it was at Piraeus port.
2000-built, Panama-flagged, 25,543 gt Zilos is owned by
Seaside Maritime Inc care of manager Karlog Shipping Co Ltd of Athens, Greece.
It is entered with American Club on behalf of Seaside Maritime Inc. As of
November 1st the vessel was at anchor in Piraeus, Greece.
