Update on 24 Jan 2025:
Contents:
- Bulk carrier casualties
- Cargo safety
- Lessons learned – Grounding of bulk carrier Indian Partnership
1.Bulk carrier casualties
Rubymar (IMO No. 9138898, built as a bulk carrier and certificates shown as a general cargo ship) is the first ship to sink since the Houthis started their Red Sea campaign in Nov 2023. Rubymar sank on 02 Mar 2024 with 21,000 metric tonnes of ammonium phosphate sulphate fertiliser on board. It had been taking on water since a missile strike on 18 Feb damaged its hull.
Bulk carrier True Confidence (IMO No. 9460784) was hit by a missile on 6 March while it was 50 nautical miles (93 km) south-west of the port city of Aden and seriously damaged, killing three crewmembers. Abandoned by its crew, the True Confidence was eventually towed to the UAE by a salvage tug, and Equasis shows her a total loss.
Bulk carrier Tutor (IMO No. 9942627) was hit on the stern by an explosive-filled uncrewed surface vessel (USV) on 12 Jun and sank on 18 Jun 2024. The attack killed a crew member.
Bulk carrier Blue Lagoon (IMO No. 9481427) was forced ashore and grounded during Typhoon Krathon on 01 Oct after suffering water ingress in the engine room, carrying 67,500 tonnes of ore. A helicopter airlifted all 19 crew members to safety. An oil slick was reported, and fuel spills had polluted the coast.
