The MSC Silvana VIII, an 8,401 TEU container ship, partially sank near Zhoushan, China, amid ongoing salvage efforts before a new typhoon.
The 8,401 TEU container ship MSC Silvana VIII, located off the coast of Zhejiang province in China, has partially sunk after sustaining severe damage around Zhoushan. It has been reported that the vessel took on more water during the ongoing salvage operations prior to the arrival of a new typhoon in the area.
Built in 2006 and approximately 332 meters long, the MSC Silvana VIII departed from Gwangyang, South Korea, on June 22 and arrived at the ship repair area in Zhoushan. It is believed that the vessel was undergoing a special survey and maintenance work here, with repair activities also ongoing around the forward mast and the bridge.
According to AIS data, the ship left the area it was in during Typhoon Bavi in July and moved across the channel off Daishan. Following this maneuver, the AIS signal from the vessel was lost. MarineRadar records indicate that the ship moved on July 11, shortly after which AIS tracking ceased.
It May Have Grounded Twice
Map data provided by Pole Star suggests that the vessel may have made contact with the seabed at two different points on July 11 and 12.
The first contact is believed to have occurred on July 11 in a marked rocky area off Daishan, while the second contact may have taken place on July 12 in another shallow area near the western tip of Dazhyu Island.
The seabed in the area where the ship is located descends into a steep channel reaching depths of approximately 40-50 meters. This depth is sufficient for the vessel to become completely submerged if it takes on water after grounding.
With the failure of salvage efforts, the stern of the ship became further submerged. It has been reported that multiple holds and the engine room took on water, causing the vessel to heavily list to the stern. Approximately 3,000 tons of fuel have been reported to have been discharged from the ship.
Fuel Leak Observed in Satellite Images
Copernicus/Sentinel-2 satellite images show a distinct oil/fuel leak extending southward from the vessel. The images indicate that the leak continued at least until August 7.
The new typhoon approaching the area is further complicating the salvage operations. The strong winds and waves affecting the Zhejiang coastline pose a risk of spreading the existing fuel leak over a wider area.
The operations being conducted to refloat the MSC Silvana VIII are believed to be under serious time pressure due to the new weather conditions.
The cause of the grounding of the MSC Silvana VIII, the extent of the damage to its hull, and the subsequent salvage plan have not yet been clarified. It has been reported that MSC has not made a comprehensive public statement regarding the incident.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
