MOL Containership's Hull Cracks, Founders, in Indian Ocean

The Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' 2008-built Bahama-flagged 8,000 teu containership 'MOL Comfort' foundered Monday & all 26 crew were picked up from a lifeboat by 'MV Yantian Express'.

According to GAC there is a considerable amount of oil in the water with containers scattered in the area 430 m southeast of Salahah, Oman. The weather at the time of the rescue was: Wind force 7, Swell 6 m.

MOL President Koichi Muto earlier made the following statement:

" The MOL-operated containership MOL Comfort, while under way from Singapore to Jeddah on the Indian Ocean (12'30"N 60'E) at about noon JST (07:00 local time) on June 17, 2013 during inclement weather, suffered a crack amidships and ingressing water in the hold. This made it impossible for the vessel to continue on under its own power.

Some of the containers on the vessel were lost overboard or suffered damage during the incident. Details are being confirmed.The damage to the MOL Comfort is extensive, while the 26 crew members took to lifeboats. All were safely rescued by other vessel in the area.

MOL immediately set up the Emergency Control Headquarters (headed by President Koichi Muto) for the incident, and is taking company-wide measures necessary to settle the matter properly."