The liquefaction of nickel ore cargo is being eyed in the grounding of a Singapore-flagged bulk carrier in the Philippines.
The Philippines Coast Guard reports that the MV Alam Manis, a 55,652 DWT bulk carrier owned by Malaysian Bulk Carriers, ran aground Friday in the vicinity of Candon City after developing a severe list.
The vessel was reported to be carrying a cargo of nickel ore from Surigao City in the Philippines to China when it encountered huge swells, which drenched the ship’s cargo and caused the vessel to lose stability.
The captain gave the order to abandon ship and all 21 crew members were picked up by escort tug Salviscount. Tragically, the ship’s chief mate died due to heart attack, the Philippines Coast Guard said.
A statement from Malaysian Bulk Carriers said that “As a result of heavy weather conditions and adverse swell, the cargo in holds No 1 & 2 shifted, resulting in the vessel listing by 14 degrees starboard.”
AIS data on Monday showed the 2007-built MV Alam Manis stopped just off the coast of Candon City with the Salviscount in the vicinity.
Liquefaction is a phenomena in which a dry cargo becomes liquified, which can cause a ship to lose stability quickly and unexpectedly due to the internal shifting of cargo.
Liquefaction has long been known to be a major source of marine casualties. Nickel ore, which is listed in the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC) as a high-risk ‘Group A’ cargo, is particularly vulnerable to liquefaction and has earned the nickname as the world’s most dangerous cargo due its role in several high-profile casualties.
The incident involving the Alam Manis prompted the UK P&I Club to issue an alert to shippers and masters involved in the transport of nickel ore cargoes.
“The rainy season in Philippines officially started on 23 June this year. The heavy rains combined with the strong winds and rough seas experienced in South China Sea lately bring forward, once again, concerns about cargo liquefaction,” the club said.
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Malaysian Bulk Carriers Bhd. (MBC) says
it will cooperate with Philippine authorities tasked to investigate one
of its cargo ship which ran aground off the coast of La Union on
Saturday.
“The investigations will take some time to complete and we will provide further information when appropriate,” said MBC in its emailed statement.
On July 17, 2015, the M/V Alam Manis, a 55,652 dwt bulk carrier, reportedly experienced severe listing while at sea and it was decided that the vessel be evacuated. “However despite all safety measures and precautions, one fatality occurred,” MBC said.
The Alam Manis (2007 built) came from Loreto in Dinagat with 21 Filipino crew members on board last July 12, 2015 after loading 53,795 metric tons of bulk nickel ore, en route to Lianyungang in China.
The heavy weather conditions and adverse swell allegedly caused the cargo in Holds 1 and 2 to shift, resulting in the listing of the vessel.
Escorted by a salvage tug, Salviscount, the vessel proceeded towards San Fernando in La Union to seek refuge. En route to the said port, the listing worsened so the crew was told to evacuate the ship.
Arrangements have been made to stabilize the vessel and discharge the cargo before it will be towed for repairs, the ship owner said.
MBC chief executive officer Kuok Khoon Kuan said: “We are deeply saddened that one of our colleagues onboard the Alam Manis has lost his life during an emergency situation on the ship. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones and are providing immediate assistance to the family following such a terrible loss. We are relieved that all others on board are now safe.”
Source: http://www.mb.com.ph
“The investigations will take some time to complete and we will provide further information when appropriate,” said MBC in its emailed statement.
On July 17, 2015, the M/V Alam Manis, a 55,652 dwt bulk carrier, reportedly experienced severe listing while at sea and it was decided that the vessel be evacuated. “However despite all safety measures and precautions, one fatality occurred,” MBC said.
The Alam Manis (2007 built) came from Loreto in Dinagat with 21 Filipino crew members on board last July 12, 2015 after loading 53,795 metric tons of bulk nickel ore, en route to Lianyungang in China.
The heavy weather conditions and adverse swell allegedly caused the cargo in Holds 1 and 2 to shift, resulting in the listing of the vessel.
Escorted by a salvage tug, Salviscount, the vessel proceeded towards San Fernando in La Union to seek refuge. En route to the said port, the listing worsened so the crew was told to evacuate the ship.
Arrangements have been made to stabilize the vessel and discharge the cargo before it will be towed for repairs, the ship owner said.
MBC chief executive officer Kuok Khoon Kuan said: “We are deeply saddened that one of our colleagues onboard the Alam Manis has lost his life during an emergency situation on the ship. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones and are providing immediate assistance to the family following such a terrible loss. We are relieved that all others on board are now safe.”
Source: http://www.mb.com.ph
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1 Seaman Dead, 20 Rescued From Listing Cargo Vessel MV Alam Manis
KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (Bernama) -- At least one crew member was reported dead while 20 others were rescued on Friday, after a Malaysian cargo vessel experienced severe listing at sea while enroute from Loreto Dinagat, the Philippines to Lianyungang, China.
According to a statement from Malaysian Bulk Carriers Berhad (MBC) one of its vessels 'MV Alam Manis', with 21 Filipino crew, was carrying 53,795 metric tonnes of bulk nickel ore when it departed on July 12. The vessel began listing by 14 degrees starboard on Wednesday.
Because of the rough weather conditions and adverse swell due to the weight, the cargo in hold No. 1 and 2 shifted, which made the vessel to experience listing before a rescue vessel was dispatched on Friday to rescue and escort the vessel to the nearest port of San Fernando in north Luzon.
"The vessel had informed of the problem which has developed approximately 255 nautical miles south east of Taiwan.
"MBC immediately convened a Crisis Command Centre (CCC) and the vessel was instructed to proceed to the nearest port.
"However on Friday, at about 2.55 pm the listing worsened to 20 degrees starboard and at 6.05 pm a decision was made to evacuate the ship in the interest of the crew's safety with the assistance of a salvage tug," said the statement, made available to Bernama, Saturday.
A MBC perssonel was immediately despatched to San Fernando while arrangements were being made to stablise the vessel and discharge cargo before towing the vessel to a repair yard.
"We are deeply saddened that one of our colleagues onboard the Alam Manis has lost his life during an emergency situation on the ship.
The statement did not mention how the crew died nor the name of the victim.
"We are relieved that all others on board are now safe," said MBC chief executive officer Kuok Khoon Kuan in the same statement.
In addition, MBC would undertake an internal investigation and cooperate fully with the relevant authorities investigating the tragic incident, he said.