Black-Rhino Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

In a crucial directive, the Cameroonian government has granted the owner of the 'Black Rhino' a 15-day window to execute plans for refloating the grounded vessel. This maritime incident occurred on the night of July 11 when the 'Black Rhino' collided with the 'Sea Honor' within the Douala-Bonabéri port channel, leaving approximately 150 containers stranded on board. Within the next eight days, the shipowner is required to submit a comprehensive report from appointed marine experts, outlining their chosen technical approach and an operational strategy for the refloating process. Experts from Wave Group, renowned for their maritime salvage expertise, along with SMIT Salvage, have already arrived in Douala to assist with the recovery efforts. Additionally, the 'MSM Dolores', a vessel capable of aiding in the refloating operation, is prepared to depart from Bata, Equatorial Guinea. The operational plan must clearly outline several key components, including the phases of vessel stabilization, container removal, lifting and towing equipment utilization, refloating procedures, safety measures, pollution mitigation strategies, and an estimated timeline for completion. Failure to submit the plan within the specified timeframe will result in an eight-day formal notice being served to the shipowner. Should non-compliance continue, the administration reserves the right to carry out the necessary works at the owner's expense and risk, as per applicable maritime laws. Although maritime traffic resumed shortly after the accident, the presence of the 'Black Rhino' and its cargo has continued to create navigational challenges. Initial assessments by the Port Authority of Douala indicate that a potential loss of helm control aboard the 'Black Rhino' could have led to the collision, a theory that will be thoroughly examined during the ongoing investigation aimed at determining the exact circumstances of the incident and assessing the liabilities of both vessels and their crews.

Early on July 12, 2026, at approximately 3:00 am local time, a significant maritime incident occurred in the navigational channel of Douala-Bonabéri Port when the cargo ship 'Black Rhino' collided with the bulk carrier 'Sea Honor' (IMO: 9153501) near buoy No. 20. The impact resulted in the 'Black Rhino' being struck on its starboard side, leading to uncontrollable flooding. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the crew. In response to the emergency, all 15 crew members aboard the 'Black Rhino' were evacuated as a precautionary measure. The vessel was subsequently grounded intentionally to avoid blocking the main navigational channel of the port, coming to rest with its stern partially submerged. This incident prompted a temporary suspension of navigation at the port while local authorities conducted emergency response and channel clearance operations. Meanwhile, the outbound bulk carrier 'Sea Honor' was escorted safely to a designated anchorage and has since been moored at position 03° 53' N 009° 32' E. Preliminary investigations suggest that the collision may have stemmed from a loss of steering control on the 'Black Rhino,' and a formal inquiry has been launched to ascertain the precise circumstances that led to the incident. For more details, including photos from the scene, visit: https://www.dolphin-maritime.com/casualty-news/sea-honor-black-rhino/ https://x.com/ghanaboynie/status/2076578257017667811 https://maritime-executive.com/article/photos-cameroon-reopens-primary-port-after-bulker-and-cargo-ship-collide.