On June 11, 2025, the 'Run Fu 3', enroute from Tianjin to Lome, suffered water ingress in the foreship and sank approximately 500 nautical miles south of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean in pos. 09°04.48 S, 073°34.06 E, prompting all 23 crew to abandon the vessel. The incident occurred following severe flooding in one of the vessel's cargo holds. Upon receiving a distress signal at around 2.45 a.m. LT, the South Korean-flagged bulk carrier 'Maple Harbour (IMO: 9593323)', en route from Son Duong to Italy, diverted to the position to rescue the crew and reached the scene at 5:30 a.m. After unsuccessful efforts to contain the flooding, the crew abandoned the 'Run Fu 3' into life rafts at 8:15 a.m.. At around 1:20 p.m., the 'Maple Harbour' successfully had taken on board all crew members of the Run Fu 3', among them 21 Vietnamese nationals and two from Myanmar. They were provided with food, water, and a place to rest aboard the Korean vessel. Arrangements were underway to disembark the castaways safely at Port Louis, in coordination with the operator of the 'Run Fu 3' with an ETA as of June 16. Reports with photos: https://splash247.com/crew-rescued-from-sinking-bulker-in-indian-ocean/ https://maritimesutra.com/2025/06/12/crew-abandoned-the-vessel-bulk-carrier-run-fu-3-adrift-in-indian-ocean/
News
HON JAMES L OBERSTAR
On the afternoon of June 11, the bulk carrier 'Kaye E. Barker' (IMO: 5097450,) went alongside her fleetmate 'Hon. James L. Oberstar' to take on her cargo of limestone. Until the evening the offloading had not started. The crew of the 'Hon. James L. Oberstar' used their self-unloading boom to transfer the cargo of 29,000 tonnes of limestone onto the 'Kaye E, Barker'. A crane barge was also on scene to assist. The ship had suffered unspecified bottom damage after grounding near Johnson Point in the East Neebish Channel. It has a total maximum capacity 108,000 gallons of fuel and other products. There were no reports of pollution in the water or surrounding area of the Hay Lake Anchorage. The Coastguard cutter 'Spar' and other smaller USCG vessels, as well the tug 'Wm. Boyd' and a barge, wee also on scene as part of a Unified Command Coast Guard operation. Anti-pollution equipment has been deployed around the vessel’s stern. The operator Interlake Steamship was working with the Coast Guard, a third-party spill response company, and commercial salvors to resolve the situation. No injuries or pollution have been reported, and the vessel was a stable condition. It has an estimated 108,000 gallons of fuel and oil products on board, and the Coast Guard was conducting periodic overflights to monitor for any leaks.
CALEDONIAN ISLES
Due to issues identified during the sea trials, there is a delay with the return of the 'Caledonian Isles' to service ountil June 17. Repair works were continued, and following the successful completion, more sea trials will be required. The booking system was closed for new bookings and amends from June 15. Further information were to be provided by the operator CalMac on June 16. During this period, the 'Glen Sannox' and 'Alfred' continude to operate on the route Troon-Brodick. At the same time, the gangway of the 'Glen Sannox' has been repaired. Passengers were no longer required to embark and disembark via the car deck at Troon. The following additional buses will operate between Ardrossan port and Troon port for foot passengers for the sailings of the ferry 'Alfred': Departure Ardrossan - 08:15 a.m., 12:35 p.m., 5:00 p.m. Timetable: https://www.calmac.co.uk/route-information/troon-brodick/#/
MORNING MIDAS
The first of three salvage teams arrived at the location of the 'Morning Midas' around 220 miles south of Adak Island, Alaska, on June 11. But, apart from watching the burning hull from the tug 'Gretchen Dunlap', there was little they can do. Operated by Fort Lauderdale-based Resolve Marine, the vessel was the first of three tugs due on scene as the Zodiac Maritime car carrier drifed northeast at about two nautical miles per hour. It will be several more days before the second tug arrives and more than a week until the third reaches the scene. As lithium-ion battery fires generate a range of toxic gases, the tug teams will have to remain to windward of the vessel. The fire could eventually burn itself out, allowing a tug or tugs to take the hulk in tow. A more likely scenario, however, is that burnt-out components within the vessel shift, causing a list, and eventually the car carrier sinks. The ship was laden with 3,048 cars including 70 fully electric cars and 861 hybrids. If the vessel sinks, there is a significant pollution risk. The 'Morning Midas' has more than 300 tonnes of marine gasoil on board, and about 1,500 tonnes or very low sulphur fuel oil in its tanks.
AZIMUT
On the morning of June 7, 2025, the Port Authority of Corfu was informed by the Captain of the 'Azimut' about a failure of the starboard side main engine on its scheduled route from the port of Gaios n. Paxos to the port of Corfu. The ship sailed to the port of Corfu, where it safely disembarked its seven passengers. The Central Port Authority of Corfu prohibited the departure of the ferry until the repair of the damage and the presentation of a certificate of seaworthiness from the supervising classification society.