A Taiwanese cargo ship tentatively identified as the De Xing was struck by an unknown cargo ship early in the morning of October 28th west of Penghu, Taiwan, Taiwan Strait, and subsequently broke in two and sank. Of the 13 crew on board, nine were rescued, two were recovered dead, and two, including the Captain, were missing. The De Xing was en route from Kaohsiung to Kinmen islands, and was understood to be a Taiwanese coastal freighter. Unfortunately the name is a common one – usually applied to Chinese vessels, and the only Taiwanese candidates are registered as fishing vessels. So details remain scarce.
Bulk carrier Junior (IMO 9548213) lost power during the afternoon of October 30th and drifted towards the Penghu islands in the Taiwan Strait. The vessel dropped anchor but the anchor dragged in the exceptionally strong wind. As of late on October 31st local time the vessel appeared still to be dragging anchor towards the islands. Tugs were unable to assist the troubled ship because of the stormy weather, a result of typhoon Nalgae. The Junior was en route from Vietnam to Ningbo. As of November 1st the vessel was reported as underway (no mention of use of engine) in the Taiwan Strait, north of Penghu.
2012-built, Liberia-flagged, 51,208 gt Junior is owned by Global Horizon Shipping Ltd care of manager Transmed Shipping Co Ltd of Strovolos, Cyprus. It is entered with North of England on behalf of Global Horizon Shipping Ltd.
Cement carrier Xing Shun No 1 (IMO 9665451) was abandoned by its crew during the afternoon October 31st local time in the Taiwan Strait some 35nm south-west of Taichung, Taiwan, after an engine failure in rough weather conditions that were caused by typhoon Nalgae. Of the 17 crew, five who went into the life raft were rescued by a passing container ship, but 12 who were in a lifeboat were still missing. An SAR is under way. XING SHUN NO 1 was en route from Vietnam to Taichung Taiwan. As of lunchtime local time on November 1st the whereabouts of the vessel were unknown.
2014-built, Panama-flagged, 6,186 gt Xing Shun No 1 is owned and managed by Jin Shun Maritime Ltd of Hong Kong, China. No AIS since October 31st when vessel was in Taiwan Strait west of Mailiao, Taiwan.
Passenger/vehicle RoRo Alexandra L (IMO 7419626)’ allided with cargo ship Zilos (IMO 9199206) during the afternoon of October 29th while the latter was berthed in Neos Molos at Drapetzona, Piraeus. Both vessels suffered damage but no injuries or pollution have been reported. An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.
1975-built, Greece-flagged, 6,496 gt Alexandra L is owned and managed by Kefalonian Lines Shipping Co of Athens, Greece. No AIS since June 9th, when it was at Piraeus port.
2000-built, Panama-flagged, 25,543 gt Zilos is owned by Seaside Maritime Inc care of manager Karlog Shipping Co Ltd of Athens, Greece. It is entered with American Club on behalf of Seaside Maritime Inc. As of November 1st the vessel was at anchor in Piraeus, Greece.