Incident Overview
The Greek-flagged bulk carrier MERCHANT MARINER suffers flooding near Dung Quat Port off Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam, on the afternoon of September 18, 2026, according to the Quang Ngai Maritime Port Authority and the Dung Quat Port Border Guard Station. The vessel, carrying 174,614 tonnes of iron ore from Malaysia to Dung Quat, suffered water ingress in port-side ballast tanks and developed a list about 15 nautical miles from the Dung Quat anchorage. All 24 crew members were accounted for with no reported injuries, and pollution-prevention measures were ordered because of the large fuel inventory aboard.
Incident Timeline
• On the afternoon of September 18, while the vessel was approaching Dung Quat at about 15 nautical miles from the anchorage, the master reported seawater entering port-side ballast tanks No. 4, 5 and 6, after which the ship took on a slight list.
• Initial assessments by the Vietnamese authorities indicated the bulk carrier had struck an underwater rock formation or reef while underway.
• The ship had 24 crew members aboard — eight Greek and 16 Filipino nationals — led by Greek master Chondros Charilaos; all were reported safe.
• Because the vessel carried about 3,375 tonnes of fuel oil and 227 tonnes of diesel oil, port authorities ordered fuel-tank valves closed and deployed pollution-prevention resources; tugs and salvage units were dispatched to the scene.
• On the morning of September 20, Quang Ngai provincial authorities activated an emergency response and convened rescue and salvage plans; monitoring showed the ship stationary at anchor off Dung Quat, with no confirmed oil spill.
Incident Factors
The suspected reef contact while approaching the loading or discharge area punctured or opened port-side ballast spaces, producing flooding and a list; the very heavy iron-ore cargo reduces reserve stability if flooding spreads.
The large bunker inventory made spill prevention the immediate priority for the Vietnamese authorities, and no leakage had been confirmed in the initial reports.
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