A Japanese-owned bulk carrier, the Aquacharm, sustained significant damage after colliding with a dock at a private port facility in Vietnam on Sunday. The vessel, which is 292 meters long and was carrying over 170,000 tons of iron ore, arrived at Dung Quat port on October 14 after a journey from Australia. Following the incident, officials have mandated a recovery plan for the ship and implemented new safety regulations.
The Aquacharm, built in 2022 and registered in the Marshall Islands, was waiting for a docking space when it took on a pilot on the afternoon of October 18. The pilot informed port authorities around 4:45 p.m. that the vessel was preparing to maneuver to Berth 10 at the Hoa Phat Dung Quat Iron and Steel Complex. Approximately an hour later, while attempting to dock, the ship struck a section of the pier that was under construction, resulting in a significant 5-meter tear across its bow.
No injuries were reported among the crew, and there was no pollution or tank damage noted. However, the collision caused considerable damage to both the vessel and a large section of the berth extension. Authorities are focusing on safely offloading the cargo and securing the ship in anticipation of adverse weather conditions, as the region is entering the storm season. New directives have been issued to ensure the safe movement of vessels, requiring the presence of a powerful tugboat equipped for emergencies.
