Container Feeder Vessel Sinks off Cambodian Coast: Crew Rescued Safely

On Sunday, a small container feeder vessel sank off the coast of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, as reported by the government’s National Committee for Maritime Security. The Thai container ship Chiang Laan encountered severe weather conditions off Koh Rong Island, including high winds, powerful waves, and torrential rain, causing it to take on water and sink. Fortunately, all 10 crew members were safely rescued by a nearby fishing vessel with assistance from national authorities and returned to port without any injuries.

The crew members received medical examinations, accommodations, and food after the incident. Photos from the scene showed some of the vessel’s 53 containers floating on the surface, raising concerns about potential pollution risks that still need to be assessed. The Chiang Laan was a 150-foot coastwise container feeder vessel owned and flagged in Thailand, built in 1994 with a maximum cargo capacity of about 1,300 dwt. Notably, the vessel had no record of international port state control inspections, a common characteristic among locally-trading vessels in Southeast Asia.

Source .