Pacifica Vessel Reviews and Specifications

The ship formerly known as the 'SE Pacifica' has successfully completed its collision damage repairs and departed from Antwerp Shiprepair. On September 18, at 8:45 p.m., the vessel, now officially renamed 'Pacifica,' anchored at the Westhinder anchorage near Flushing. This marks a significant step in its return to operational readiness.

On the evening of August 20, 2016, a maritime incident unfolded 10 kilometers off the coast of Nieuwpoort and De Panne, involving the tank m/v 'King Emerald' and the vessel 'SE Pacifica.' The collision occurred in the Westhinder anchorage area as one of the vessels was caught adrift due to strong winds. To manage the situation, the tug 'Zeehond' (IMO: 8843549) was dispatched for assistance. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the starboard side of the 'SE Pacifica,' especially in the stern region and the superstructure, leading to its towing to Flushing for necessary repairs. Meanwhile, the 'King Emerald' sustained only minor damages to its starboard foreship and was able to continue its journey, arriving in Antwerp on August 22 at 10:30 a.m. for repairs at Antwerp Shiprepair.

The general cargo vessel SE Pacifica has remained stranded in the Persian Gulf since March 2013, carrying 42 Ukrainian armored vehicles that have been deemed defective by the Iraqi army. The vehicles were originally loaded at the Ilyichevsk port in Ukraine. Current reports indicate that the vessel is either drifting or anchored in the northern section of the Persian Gulf, situated roughly halfway between Kuwait and Bushehr, Iran. Ukrainian media sources reveal that the sellers of these vehicles, the state-owned arms exporting companies Ukrspezexport and Ukroboronservice, have failed to reimburse the vessel’s operator for the incurred losses. This unprecedented situation raises questions about the accountability of arms exporters and the impact on maritime operations in the region.