A feeder ship operated by Korea Marine Transport Company (KMTC) collided with a bulk carrier in Vietnam’s Long Tau River, off Ho Chi Minh City, at 10.40 pm local time on 25 April, with damage sustained to both ships.
The 2018-built, 2,806 TEU KMTC Surabaya, which KMTC Line is chartering long-term from Japanese tonnage provider Nissen Kaiun, slammed into Glengyle, a 2015-built Handysize bulk carrier owned by Hong Kong-based Uni-Asia Holdings.
Vessel-tracking data shows that both KMTC Surabaya and Glengyle were moving through Long Tau River in Can Gio district when the accident happened. KMTC Surabaya, deployed on a service connecting the Pearl River Delta with South Korea and Southeast Asia, was on its way to Hong Kong when the accident happened. Glengyle was sailing from Phu My to Ho Chi Minh City.
The bow of KMTC Surabaya allegedly hit the port side of Glengyle, tearing open the hull plating of the bulk carrier, causing serious flooding of its cargo hold and engine room. As a result, Glengyle partially sank by the stern and came to rest on the riverbed.
There were no reports of injuries or damage to cargo, but KMTC Surabaya sustained water ingress that was brought under control.
A video of the incident showed KMTC Surabaya listing to starboard and Glengyle down by the stern as tugs tried to separate the vessels. Both ships were moved closer to shore to prevent obstruction of navigation.
A hatch cover from Glengyle was sliced off and became partially embedded in the bow of KMTC Surabaya. Fuel oil leaked from Glengyle’s damaged tanks, prompting Vietnamese authorities to place containment booms to control the pollution. Salvage and oil clean-up operations are ongoing.
Alison Koo
Asia Correspondent
