Sign up
Log in Sign up
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.

MV Blue Alliance vessel. Global Fuel Supply unveils Blue Alliance tanker after Dubai upgrade works  

Marine fuel supplier completes intermediate survey and technical upgrades on vessel ahead of operational service.
Everllence common-rail technology illustration. Everllence common-rail technology surpasses 20 million operating hours  

Engine maker’s common-rail systems reach milestone across 600 engines and 5,500 cylinders over 18 years.
Representatives from LR Advisory and Geogas. LR Advisory appointed by Geogas Trading to develop FuelEU Maritime compliance strategy  

Lloyd’s Register division to support charterer with emissions planning and FuelEU pooling operationalisation.
Photograph of a red container vessel. ICS survey shows maritime leaders favour LNG as industry awaits IMO net-zero vote  

Barometer reveals strategic shift towards conservative fuel choices amid regulatory uncertainty over decarbonisation framework.
Petrobras logo. Petrobras bunker operations to close for Carnival, with higher prices during holiday period  

Brazilian headquarters shut 16-18 February; Rotterdam office to handle new sales during closure.
Astrid Maersk vessel. Maersk container ship returns to Suez Canal as Gemini Cooperation reroutes ME-11 service  

Astrid Maersk becomes third Maersk vessel to transit canal since strategic partnership agreement signed.
Carnot Engines founders and Petredec representative with engine prototype. Petredec invests in Carnot Engines to accelerate LPG-fuelled engine development  

Partnership aims to deploy high-efficiency engines across transport, maritime and power generation sectors.
Spirit of Toulouse vessel. LD Armateurs launches first of three wind-assisted RoRo vessels for Airbus transatlantic route  

Spirit of Toulouse features Norsepower rotor sails and dual-fuel engines capable of running on methanol.
Akshat Agrawal, Flex Commodities. Flex Commodities appoints Akshat Agrawal as operations manager  

Dubai-based marine fuel trader adds experienced operations professional to support global expansion.
Jeroen De Vos, Peninsula. Peninsula lauds appointment of Jeroen De Vos as IBIA vice chair  

De Vos has served on the bunker industry association’s board of directors since 2023.

↑  Back to Top


 Recommended