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| S'pore-led salvage team frees grounded bulker |
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(SINGAPORE) A Singapore-led salvage team managed to refloat grounded bulker Hanjin Dampier off Australia's north-west coast recently. Before the refloating, Wijsmuller Perdana Salvage - the Singapore subsidiary of AP Moller's Wijsmuller Salvage - together with reinforcements from Europe, was forced to remove 5,000 tonnes of cargo from the stranded carrier, which was fully laden with iron ore. Two generators aboard the 207,000 dwt vessel failed and caused steering problems on Aug 25, leading her to veer outside a channel and ground on a sandbank during spring tide. After damage inspections in deepwater, the 309-metre long bulker was returned to its owners, Hanjin Shipping, and is reportedly anchored off Dampier. Meanwhile, news of a second vessel casualty north of Australia also emerged this week. Singapore-bound, Philippine-flagged bulk coal carrier Aegean Falcon reportedly ran aground in the Torres Strait between Australia's north coast and Papua New Guinea raising pollution fears. However, the 28,000 gross ton vessel managed to refloat itself and was cleared by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority to continue on its journey. The incident follows a string of casualties that have prompted calls for compulsory marine pilotage in the area, and through the nearby Great Barrier Reef. Meanwhile, the Queensland State Government has just liberalised its harbour towing procedures, to allow all ports to license the maritime service operators. The move is aimed at increasing competition, with more international operators now likely to enter the market. |
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