A bulker controlled by Foremost Group has been damaged after hitting a bridge in Argentina, blocking traffic in a key waterway for dry bulk vessels.
The New York company’s 85,000-dwt En May (built 2012) “made contact” with the Zarate-Brazo Largo Bridge, according to a risk alert from Argentine law firm Vega & Co.
A video circulated around the country’s maritime community shows the kamsarmax bulker has significant damage. A subsequent video published by Argentine news site SL24 shows footage from the ship as it approached the bridge.
Alejandro Vega, Vega & Co’s director, told TradeWinds that there have been no reports of pollution from the incident.
But the casualty has blocked traffic in both directions on the Parana River, a key artery linking Argentina’s grain export terminals and international markets. Tugs have been deployed to help move the vessel.
The vessel was in ballast when it struck the bridge and is believed to have had problems with its rudder. The En May was headed upriver to San Lorenzo, where a port complex handles a major share of Argentina’s soy, corn, wheat and sorghum exports.
After this article was published, Angela Chao-led Foremost Group said the reports of a rudder failure are inaccurate.
“We are working with the local authorities around the clock to remove the vessel as safely as possible after it allided with a pillar while under the control of two local pilots,” a company spokesman said.
He confirmed that there were no injuries or pollution.
The Liberian-flag En May is managed by Foremost and classed by Bureau Veritas, according to Equasis. It has protection and indemnity insurance from UK P&I Club.
The ship’s port-state control record shows no detentions since it was delivered from Japan’s Oshima Shipbuilding.
Vehicle and railway traffic on the Zarate-Brazo Largo Bridge remains unhindered. The bridge, which crosses the Parana river at the city of Zarate, connects the capital of Buenos Aires by road and rail to Argentina’s Entre Rios province and ultimately Uruguay and Brazil.
