Bulk Carrier Casualty Report 2020

Among a total of 34 bulk carrier losses of over 10,000 dwt during 2011 – 2020, seventeen (17) of these were due to grounding. An initial review found that human error both operationally and in navigation contributed to at least 11 of the 17 casualties which include:

• The bulk carrier WAKASHIO ran aground on a reef off the coast of Mauritius on 25 July 2020 and broke in two on 12 August. More than 1,000 tonnes of fuel seeped from a crack in the hull. The unsafe behaviour that contributed to her grounding once again reminds the shipping industry that there is no room for complacency. Complacency is a result of over-confidence and a lack of safety awareness, increasing the potential for serious casualties in the sector.

The grounding of the 2016-built very large ore carrier (VLOC) STELLAR BANNER in February 2020, although not considered as a casualty, was another incident attracting wide attention around the shipping world. STELLAR BANNER ran aground off the coast of Brazil earlier while carrying iron ore. After refloating, condition assessment led to her being scuttled about 150 kilometers from the coast of Maranhão, due to the extent of hull damage suffered as a result of the incident.

Click here to download a copy of the draft INTERCARGO Bulk Carrier Casualty Report, 2011 – 2020.