Three NYK bulkers damaged in Japanese earthquake

Three Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) panamax bulkers were damaged during last Friday’s massive tsunami in Japan. All 63 crew onboard three vessels that were in port on Japan’s east coast when the tsunami were reported to be safe. The 91,439 dwt, Shiramizu was unloading at the port of Soma and the ship was grounded damaging ballast and fuel tanks, leading to an oil spill, NYK said. The 77,739 dwt, Shirouma, ran aground in the port of Haramati having been unloading a cargo of coal when the tsunami struck. Flooding of the fuel tank was reported but NYK said it was unknown if there was any oil spill. The 75,359 dwt, bulker Coral Ring was unloading coal in the port of Onahama and collided with the pier damaging its hull.