MOL bulker sinks: two dead seafarers and eight others still missing
TWO seafarers are confirmed dead and eight others still missing following the sinking of the Mitsui OSK Lines capesize bulk carrier Giant Step
According to reports the 1985-built, Panama-flag ship caught fire and ran aground off up the Japanese port of Kashima. Sixteen crew members were rescued.
The ship was carrying about 190,000 tonnes of iron ore to Kashima from Australia and broke in two following the grounding. Some reports mentions oil pollution from the ships bunkers.
This incident is the third, and most serious, mishap to afflict the MOL fleet in recent months. The car carrier Cougar Ace nearly capsized off Alaska while the VLCC Bright Artemis suffered damage and spilt crude oil during a rescue attempt of the crew of a freighter on fire off the Nicobar islands. Just last week MOL announced the setting up of a new committee to monitor safety within its fleet.