Salvage Operations Underway for Grounded Reefer Amory Near Diego Bay

On June 8, 2025, Amory, a reefer vessel en route from Toamasina to Antsiranana, ran aground on a coral reef at the entrance to Diego Bay, near the Emerald Sea, at coordinates 12° 11' N 049° 24' E. The vessel, carrying 22 crew members, encountered difficulties during its approach maneuver, leading to the unfortunate grounding. Thankfully, no marine pollution has been detected so far, and the vessel remains stable with no visible damage or water ingress.

In response to the incident, local maritime and environmental authorities have deployed strategies to facilitate the safe refloating of the grounded vessel. As part of these efforts, two Chinese-flagged vessels have been commissioned by authorities to aid in the salvage operation. However, the commencement of the salvage work will depend on the results from ongoing technical surveys being conducted by specialized experts.

The situation has raised concerns among stakeholders regarding the ecological sensitivity of the surrounding area, prompting the Marine Oil Pollution Response Agency (OLEP) to amplify prevention measures against potential oil spills. Although the crew on board is safe, it highlights the ongoing challenges faced in maritime operations, especially in remote locations with ecological significance.

As refloating operations progress, the maritime community continues to monitor the situation closely, affirming the importance of rapid response in addressing navigational incidents and protecting vulnerable marine environments.