Bulker losses reopens debate

The loss of another two handysize bulkers and the abandonment of a third has renewed concerns about the safety of older bulk carriers. Fortunately all three crews were rescued, which was not the case with the three bulkers lost earlier in the year.

While all the latest casualties are over 20 years old, the LR-classed 19,400 dwt Osool, which sank of Goa after reportedly taking in water into number 1 hold, had undergone an enhanced survey in July 1994. Whether this indicates that the measures adopted by IACS are inadequate or if other factors were to blame will have to await the official enquiry.

Bulk carrier safety remains on the agenda at IACS and will be discussed again in November. However, its permanent secretary, James Bell, says that if the abandoned Asean Carrier had suffered structural problems resulting in flooding of holds one and two, it would have sunk very quickly.

By the same rationale he feels that the crew of Osool would not have survived if the ship`s structure had failed. That was the fate of Fei Cui Hai which was carrying iron ore when it sank. He adds that CCS and the Chinese authorities have examined the available data and are happy with the vessels longitudinal strength.

One of the shipowning groups points out that the latest casualties have been trading in areas like Africa, India and China which do not have effective port state control. Panamax or capesize vessels usually have to call at a country or area with strong PSC at one end of their voyage.

It is also interested in the fact that both Osool and Flare had undergone enhanced survey.