A box ship sank near Guangzhou port on 7 May after it collided with another cargo ship.
According to the Guangzhou Maritime Bureau, fully loaded box ship Sui Dong Fang 332 was carrying 57 containers when it collided with the cargo ship Ming Yang Zhou 179 at 3:00 h local time.
Hui Dong Fang 332 sank five minutes after the collision, and all its containers fell into the sea, according to a seafarer on board.
All seven crew members of the sunken vessel were saved by rescue teams. The bow of the cargo ship was partially damaged.
According to the maritime authority, most of the boxes contained corn and plastic products, and no dangerous cargos were found. No spill of bunker has also been found, but cleaning vessels are on standby.
Operations at the nearby Humen Ferry Terminal has been suspended until 5:00 h local time on 7 May, but navigation in the main channel of Guangzhou port would take at least two days to restore, officials said.
Eight boxes have been retrieved as of 7 May afternoon, and the salvage for the remaining boxes is under way.
The authorities said that low visibility caused by thunderstorm could be the reason of the accident. An investigation is being carried out.
This post was sourced from IHS Maritime 360: View the original article here.
