Bulk Carrier Aquacharm Damages Wharf in Vietnam, 5-Metre Bow Tear Reported

The Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Aquacharm struck an under-construction wharf at Vietnam’s Dung Quat port on 18 October while manoeuvring towards Wharf No. 10, damaging the structure and tearing an approximately five-metre gash in its bow. The 292-metre vessel was carrying 170,856 tonnes of iron ore from Australia. All 22 crew members were safe, and no oil spill was reported. Quang Ngai Maritime Administration has launched an investigation and ordered round-the-clock tugboat standby and additional safety measures as the vessel’s condition and the extent of wharf damage are assessed. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.