VIMC DIAMOND

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Box ship diverted ti ease Korean urea shortage

Sinokor Merchant Marine has diverted the 'Vinalines Diamond' to Ulsan on Nov 23, 2021, to facilitate the delivery of much-needed urea from China. Diesel-fuelled vehicles in South Korea are required by law to use urea as an additive to cut emissions and, currently, a shortage is so serious that the government is rationing supplies. The urea shortage was instigated by China’s power restrictions on manufacturing, which restricted its output of fertiliser and, ultimately, led to China restricting urea exports. The 'Vinalines Diamond', chartered by Sinokor from Vietnam Maritime Corporation (formerly Vinalines) had arrived at the Jeongil Ulsan Container Terminal. being deployed on Sinokor’s Busan-Qingdao-Tianjin service. Due to the crucial shortage, the MOF arranged with the liner operator to use the vessel to collect 300 tonnes of urea from Tianjin. The cargo is part of 18,700 tonnes of urea chemical producer Lotte Chemical Corp had agreed to purchase from its Chinese supplier. Initially, the cargo was to have been shipped on Nov 18, but heavy snow in northern China delayed the shipment. Tight shipping capacity and South Korea’s dire need for urea prompted the MOF to intervene. After calling at Busan, instead of going to Qingdao, the 'Vinalines Diamond' diverted to Ulsan pm Npv 23 to discharge the urea, even though this meant Sinokor had to reschedule the ship’s movements and inform shippers that arrival in Qingdao would be delayed. Until the shortage eased, it would work with ministries and shipping companies to ensure the timely delivery of urea imports.

Allision in Ho Chi Minh City

On April 2, 2020, at 5.30 a.m. the 'Vinalines Diamond', coming from Port Klang, allided with the pontoon of the ferry terminal at Cat Lai on the Nha Be river, Ho Chi Minh City, while heading to the container terminal. The ferry terminal suffered serious damages when it gout out of control and slammed against the pontoon and two berthed ferries at slow speed. The vessel was safely berthed at the Ben Nghe Port after the accident.