The Othrys: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

The recent sinking of the Panama-flagged vessel 'Ocean Winner' in the Bay of Bengal has cast a shadow of concern across the maritime industry, especially regarding the loading of iron ore during the ongoing monsoon season. In a related development, the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) issued a notice to the bulk carrier 'Othrys', directing it to take on its designated iron ore cargo. However, the captain of the 'Othrys' opted to limit the loading of iron ore from the designated plot due to safety concerns related to moisture-laden cargo. Docked at the South Quay berth since August 21, 2026, the 'Othrys' was scheduled to export 62,000 tonnes of iron ore to China but has only managed to load 26,873 tonnes, leaving 35,127 tonnes unshipped after nearly 20 days at the berth. Similarly, the vessel 'BBG Kindness', which arrived on August 9 to load 61,140 tonnes of iron ore for China, faced similar restrictions. The master of this vessel decided to curtail the loading to 37,396 tonnes, prioritizing safety over the cargo load amidst concerns related to carrying more cargo than permissible due to the rainy season. In compliance with Indian maritime safety regulations, which mandate strict protocols for transporting solid bulk cargo, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has adhered to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. This code outlines essential safety measures for cargo that may liquefy, including detailed risk assessments and moisture testing, along with strict adherence to the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML). Following the incident, PPA has notified the owner and captain of 'Othrys' regarding the cargo loading restrictions, spurring DGS surveyors to collect and test samples from the existing iron ore cargo. They have heightened scrutiny on moisture content, compliance with TML certifications, loading procedures, and weather conditions. Loading operations have been temporarily suspended pending a thorough safety report. If vessel captains continue to express hesitance regarding loading practices, this could significantly impact Paradip Port's overall cargo throughput and iron ore export activities, leading to substantial financial losses for exporters, miners, transporters, and stevedoring agencies, as well as reduced economic activity that could affect state revenue.