Greek Bulk Carrier Suffers Hull Damage and Water Ingress Off Vietnam
A Greek-flagged Capesize bulk carrier carrying nearly 175,000 tonnes of iron ore reported hull damage and ballast tank flooding off the coast of central Vietnam. Local authorities and emergency teams are coordinating response measures to secure the vessel and prevent environmental damage.
According to reports from local port authorities and Marine Insight, the Greek-flagged bulk carrier *Merchant Mariner* was approximately 15 nautical miles from the Dung Quat anchorage in Quang Ngai Province when crew members discovered water in the ballast tanks. The vessel was carrying a full cargo of iron ore bound for the Hoa Phat Dung Quat Steel Complex.
Following an initial inspection, authorities indicated that the vessel may have struck a submerged rock while approaching the anchorage, resulting in Maritime Ballast Tank Water Ingress. Seawater entered ballast tanks 4, 5, and 6 on the port side, causing the ship to list slightly. All 24 crew members onboard were reported safe, and no injuries were sustained. Inspections confirmed that no water entered the main cargo holds, and no fuel oil leaks or marine pollution have been detected.
In response to the incident, the Quang Ngai Maritime Port Authority and local border guard units initiated emergency oversight protocols. Authorities instructed the vessel’s master, shipowner, and cargo receiver to prepare a coordinated cargo-handling and discharge plan adapted to the ship’s stability conditions.
To mitigate risks affecting Dung Quat Anchorage Shipping and surrounding waters, standby tugboats were deployed around the vessel for continuous monitoring and spill prevention. Surveyors, insurers, and technical salvage teams were granted access to conduct detailed structural assessments. Authorities emphasized that unloading of the iron ore cargo will proceed only after formal safety approvals are issued.
This Bulk Carrier Damage event highlights critical Dry Bulk Carrier Safety protocols during port approach manoeuvres near heavy industrial hubs. Vessel Ingress Incidents involving fully laden Capesize ships carry heightened structural risks due to cargo weight and localised stresses. For shipowners, marine insurers, and port authorities, swift inter-agency coordination remains crucial to stabilising compromised vessels, preventing potential hull failure, and ensuring safety in regional trade corridors.
