· Indian cargo vessel runs aground on Hooghly River
The Indian-flagged cargo vessel ITT Ayzal ran aground in the eastern bank of Hoogly River in West Bengal, India on 16 July. No injuries, pollution or cargo damage were reported.
The vessel while en-route to Kolkata when it reportedly veered out of the navigational channel. Despite the crew’s attempt to deploy the anchor, the ship ran aground with its bow lodged on the riverbank. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
The ITT Ayzal is a 2013-built cargo vessel that measures 108.22 meters in length, 17 meters in width and a deadweight of 5,670 tonnes. It actively operates in the Bay of Bengal, frequently sailing between Kolkata, Port Blair, and Mayabunder.
· Chemical tanker hit by explosion off Oman; all crew reported safe
The Liberian-flagged oil/chemical tanker Stolt Magnesium caught fire following the explosion of an unidentified external device while sailing in the Arabian Sea off the coast.
According to vessel manager Stolt Tankers, the incident occurred at approximately 12:40 a.m. local time on 14 July and triggered a fire in the vessel’s engine room. All crew members were reported safe and accounted for, and the crew began firefighting operations immediately.
Stolt Magnesium is a 2017-built vessel that measures 165.13 meters in length and 26.97 meters in width. The vessel departed from Sohar Port on 13 July and is scheduled to arrive at Port Klang, Malaysia on 24 July.
· Toxic substance leak forces evacuation at Waasland port in Antwerp
A leak of a toxic substance at Waasland Port in Antwerp forced the evacuation of Deurganck Dock. The leak originated from the container ship MSC Mia Summer II, which was berthed at the dock and undergoing unloading operations.
The incident occurred on the evening of 14 July. Emergency services arrived quickly, and police cordoned off the area. All operations at the MPET Terminal were halted and personnel evacuated. Staff working at the Kieldrecht Lock for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges were also evacuated as a precaution.
The leak was detected near the dock. According to Marc Van de Vijver, Mayor of Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwijndrecht, around twenty people were exposed to the toxic substance and received immediate medical attention.
· Water ingress leaves bulk carrier partially submerged near Bandar Abbas
A bulk carrier, Luni, had split and partially sunk off the coast of Bandar Abbas, Iran, on 14 July. All 23 crewmembers were rescued aboard the vessel.
The vessel was in an anchorage in the northern portion of the strait just off the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas when it suffered water ingress and subsequently split in half, resulting in partial submersion.
According to local media reports, Luni had been involved in a collision with another vessel several days earlier, which allegedly damaged its hull. The reported damage is believed to have led to the subsequent flooding and structural failure, although this has not been officially confirmed.
· Turkish authorities respond after bulk carrier runs aground
A bulk carrier Regalo ran aground off the coast of Tekirdağ, Turkey on 13 July while carrying 27,500 tonnes of rice.
The vessel remains aground with its 20 crew members on board. No injuries or pollution have been reported.
Following the incident, the General Directorate of Coastal Safety and the Turkish Coast Guard Command deployed response teams to the scene. Authorities implemented safety measures to protect nearby maritime traffic while commencing salvage operations to refloat the vessel.
Regalo is a 2002-built bulk carrier sailing under the flag of Sao Tome and Principe flag. The vessel measures 169.26 meters in length and 27.2 meters in width.
