One Killed as New Chinese Domestic Boxship and Bulker
Tragic Collision Near Ningbo Port Claims Seafarer's Life
In a devastating maritime accident, one seafarer lost their life, and three others sustained injuries when a container ship collided with a dry bulk carrier near the Ningbo port complex. The incident occurred in the early hours of March 29, raising concerns about safety in busy shipping lanes. The Ningbo Maritime Safety Administration has confirmed the details and is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Details of the Collision
The collision involved the newly delivered containership Ningyuan Beilun, which has a deadweight tonnage of 15,000 and was recently added to the fleet of Ningbo Ocean Shipping. This vessel, part of the company’s expansion strategy, was departing Ningbo with 934 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) on board. It collided with the Jianghai Zhida 66, a 14,000 dwt dry bulk carrier that entered service in May 2023. It remains unclear whether the bulk carrier was loaded at the time of the incident, but it had a crew of 13 members aboard.
Following the collision, the dry bulk carrier began taking on water rapidly and sank within five minutes. Rescue operations were launched immediately, lasting approximately four hours. Nine crew members were rescued unharmed, while three were taken to a hospital for treatment. Tragically, one individual was found deceased during the recovery efforts.
Initial reports indicate that the damage to the Ningyuan Beilun was minor. The vessel is currently anchored at Zhoushan Anchorage as authorities conduct their investigation into the incident. This collision has raised alarms about maritime safety protocols in one of China’s busiest shipping areas.
Ningbo Ocean Shipping’s Fleet Expansion
Ningbo Ocean Shipping had recently celebrated the addition of the Ningyuan Beilun to its fleet, marking a significant milestone for the company. With this new vessel, the company’s total capacity has surpassed 50,000 TEU, reflecting its commitment to expanding its operations. The Ningyuan Beilun is one of eight ships in its class, each measuring 136 meters (446 feet) in length, designed for enhanced transportation efficiency and larger loading capacities.
Ningbo Ocean Shipping operates over 100 vessels, either owned or chartered, across 40 different routes. The company emphasizes its focus on energy efficiency and improved service delivery, which are critical in the competitive shipping industry. As the investigation into the collision continues, the company and maritime authorities are likely to review safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
