The US Navy’s 7 th fleet deployed a P-8A aircraft attached to assist in an international search and rescue (SAR) effort in the East China Sea following a collision between a National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) aframax tanker and a Shanghai CP International bulk carrier.
According to a US Navy statement, the aircraft searched an area of approximately 3,600 square nautical miles yesterday but no survivors were found.
The aircraft has now returned to the Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. None of the missing mariners were located.
NITC’s 164,000-dwt tanker Sanchi (built 2008) collided with the 76,000-dwt CF Crystal (built 2011) in the East China Sea, 160 miles off Shanghai late on Saturday night.
The Sanchi was engulfed by flames following the collision and its crew of 30 Iranian and two Bangladeshi seafarers are missing.
According to statements from China’s Ministry of Transport (MOT), rescue vessels were immediately dispatched to the scene. Efforts to contain the fire and locate the missing crew are ongoing with vessels from both China and South Korea participating.
Latest reports from the MOT indicate that the Sanchi remains afloat but is listing to starboard and leaking oil. The CF Crystal also remains afloat with damage confined to its bow. Its crew are reported to be safe.
At the time of the collision the Sanchi was en route from Iran to South Korea with a cargo comprising of 136,000 tons of condensate from the South Pars oil field. The CF Crystal was carrying wheat from the US to China.
The Sanchi has P&I cover from Steamship Mutual P&I club and hull insurance from Skuld. Skuld provides P&I cover for the CF Crystal.
TradeWinds has contacted NITC for comment.
