Discover the Amis-Leader: Ratings & Maritime News

In a significant transaction, a vessel has been sold for an estimated $13 million to Norwegian Byers. This deal marks a notable moment in the shipping industry, highlighting ongoing maritime market activities.

The bulk carrier 'Dumun' was apprehended by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on January 30, 2016, for anchoring unlawfully three miles southwest of Tanjung Piai in the Singapore Strait. The vessel had failed to apply for permission to enter Malaysian waters. During the inspection, authorities discovered that the 'Dumun' was involved in a collision with another bulk carrier, the 'Castle', in the Singapore roads on January 22, which resulted in damage to the vessel. Of the 21 crew members aboard the 'Dumun', all of whom were Chinese nationals, three were taken into custody for further questioning.

A recent investigation has uncovered alarming details regarding safety protocols at the Port of Gladstone, one of Australia's most frequented maritime hubs. The inquiry, led by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), focuses on the bulker Dumun, a Panamanian-registered coal carrier weighing 32,000 tonnes. On April 29, 2011, while departing the port in central Queensland, the Dumun experienced a critical failure in its steering mechanism, ultimately running aground on a sandbar. This incident left the vessel stuck in the harbor's primary channel for approximately one and a half hours before it could be refloated and safely towed to a nearby emergency anchorage. The investigation revealed that the connection between the ship's tiller and its rudder angle transmitter had disintegrated, causing misleading readings that masked the actual state of the steering equipment. Unfortunately, the crew was unaware of the malfunction until it was too late and Dumun was already stranded. Additionally, the report highlighted significant gaps in the port's safety measures, noting the absence of thorough pre-departure checks and contingency plans to address emergencies. This situation raises serious questions about maritime safety and operational standards at busy ports.