Harita Bauxite News

A shocking number of bulk carriers (as well as a few OBOs – ore/bulk/oil carriers) have been suddenly and catastrophically lost at sea in the last 30 years. Following are the names of some of those vessels, in alphabetical order:- Asian Forest (2009); - Black Rose(2009); - Bulk Jupiter (2015); - Derbyshire (1980); - Emerald Star (2017); - Harita Bauxite (2013); - Hong Wei (2010); - Hui Long (2005); - Jian Fu Star (2010); - Nasco Diamond (2010); - Stella Daisy (2017); - Sun Spirits (2012); - Trans Summer (2013); and - Vinalines Queen (2011).

Shipping losses decline, but emerging risks pose serious challenges to marine industry, according to Allianz study. 94 large ships lost worldwide in 2013, down 20% from last year. Total ship losses in continental U.S. hits all time low. Piracy focus shifts away from Somalia to new hotspots. “Mega ships”, Arctic shipping and alternative fuels create new industry risks. Shipping losses continued their downward trend with 94 losses reported worldwide in 2013, coming in below 100 for only the second time in 12 years…

One of the most pressing problems for the bulk shipping industry is the safe carriage of nickel ore. The increasing demand for this commodity is fuelled by China’s thirst for nickel ore as it is the principal alloy component for stainless steel. Chinese nickel ore imports have spiraled from nearly 5m metric tons (mt) in 2006 to near 50m mt in 2011. The bulk of these imports come from Indonesia, with the Philippines now running very close behind. But this fast-expanding trade has been marred by the heavy price paid in terms of lives and vessels lost. In August, the 2012-built Trans Summer sank off Hong Kong, but all 21 crew were saved by rescue helicopters. All these vessels were carrying nickel ore from Indonesia to China.

During the forthcoming IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 92 to be held June 12-21, 2013) Intercargo, the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners will present its Bulk Carrier Casualty Report and will call for member States to fully investigate ship losses and very serious casualties, and to make accident investigation reports available in the public domain, to ensure that the largest possible audience can learn from the findings. Objectivity, subjugating legal restrictions in deference to safety, adopting IMO principles and making casualty investigation reports available in a timely fashion should also be key objectives. As…

MV Harita Bauxite, a Handymax bulk carrier sank recently off Cape Bolinao with the loss of 14 of the 24 crew. According to the Philippine's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council a distress rocket signal was sighted by the MV Jin Cheng on 18, February, 2013 in the vicinity of Cape Bolinao, Bolinao, Pangasinan. Ten crew members were subsequently rescued by Jin Cheng and later taken to shore by helicopter. Reportedly the Harita Bauxite had sunk following (unspecified) engine trouble. The Panama-registered, 1983-built handymax ship which was reportedly carrying a cargo of nickel ore from Obi, Indonesia to China, sank on the evening of 17 February after suffering engine failure, possibly during poor weather.

The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (Intercargo) has called for an early casualty investigation following the tragic loss of the bulk carrier Harita Bauxite. The Panama-registered, 1983-built handymax ship which was reportedly carrying a cargo of nickel ore from Obi, Indonesia to China, sank on the evening of 17 February after suffering engine failure, possibly during poor weather. Although ten crew were rescued by a passing ship, 14 crew remain unaccounted for. Secretary General of Intercargo, Rob Lomas said “at this early stage, we cannot speculate about the cause of this sad incident” but, he continued “the sudden…