This is a legacy page. Please click here to view the latest version.
Mon 3 Apr 2017, 00:04 GMT

Oil sheen, 'strong smell of fuel' at Stellar Daisy crew rescue site: Navy


Location of ore carrier and fate of 22 crew members remains unknown.



The Uruguayan Navy has reported finding an oil sheen and a "strong smell of fuel" - as well as floating debris - at the location where two Filipino seaman were rescued from a raft near what is thought to be the site where the very large ore carrier (VLOC) Stellar Daisy sank in the South Atlantic on Friday.

The South Korean vessel went missing after the ship's crew sent a mobile text message on Friday at 11:20 p.m. (Seoul time) to their South Korean employer, Polaris Shipping, saying the ship was taking on water on the port side and sinking.

At the time of the incident, the Marshall Islands-flagged ore carrier was sailing in waters around 2,500 kilometres east of Uruguay after departing from Brazil on 26th March.

Uruguay's Navy and Brazilian authorities were alerted when an emergency satellite signal was received from the 266,000-tonne Stellar Daisy. A search and rescue operation was subsequently launched in the area of the signal. Nearby commercial vessels were asked to assist in the search effort while the Brazilian Air Force dispatched a Lockheed Martin C-130 plane to the site.

An escape raft carrying the two Filipino crew was later found drifting by commercial ships in the area. Of the six lifeboats the Stellar Daisy had on board, five are said to have been recovered.

The 322-metre-long Stellar Daisy was carrying 24 crew: eight South Korean and 16 Filipino sailors. Authorities said that all crew members were probably wearing their life vests.

"A search operation is continuing for the 22 people," a South Korean government official was cited as saying on Saturday.

The location of the South Korean ore carrier remains unconfirmed.


Order ceremony for LNG dual-fuel container vessels. OOCL orders twelve 13,600-teu LNG dual-fuel container vessels from Chinese shipbuilder  

Hong Kong-based carrier’s first LNG-powered vessels mark entry into alternative fuel segment.

Lucia Cosulich vessel. Cosulich launches second methanol-ready bunker vessel at Chinese shipyard  

Lucia Cosulich is the second of four sister vessels being built for alternative fuel bunkering.

LNG bunkering vessel render. Wärtsilä Gas Solutions secures order for LNG systems on four bunkering vessels  

GSX Energy orders systems for vessels being built at Chinese shipyard Nantong CIMC Sinopacific.

Guo Si ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation. Chimbusco Pan Nation delivers 2,500 mt of B100 biodiesel in China’s largest single bunkering  

Hong Kong operation claims 89% greenhouse gas emissions reduction compared with conventional marine fuel.

Caroline Yang, Diana Mok and Francois-Xavier Accard, IBIA. IBIA appoints three new members to Asia regional board  

Caroline Yang, Diana Mok and Francois-Xavier Accard join the board following unanimous approval.

Reimei vessel. MOL achieves 98% methane slip reduction in LNG-fuelled vessel trials  

Japanese shipping company exceeds target in demonstration trials aboard coal carrier operating between Japan and Australia.

Seaside LNG logo. Seaside LNG expands C-suite with four industry veterans  

Houston-based firm appoints new leadership team as LNG bunkering market projected to reach $15bn by 2030.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) headquarters. ICS calls for swift adoption of global regulatory framework  

Secretary general notes MEPC discussions were constructive, but that many member states were still not in a position to adopt the framework without further changes.

WSC quote on maritime discussions. WSC welcomes 'constructive engagement' on global emissions reduction measure  

The liner industry has invested $150bn in dual-fuel ships, but emissions reductions depend on a global framework, notes WSC CEO.

MEPC 84 session. IMO committee agrees intersessional work to rebuild consensus on emissions framework  

Two meetings scheduled before December session as members seek convergence on mid-term greenhouse gas measures.


↑  Back to Top


 Recommended