Bulker loss reopens debate

The 69,120 dwt

Leader L

which broke up and sank in under one minute with the loss of 18 of its 31 crew, has reopened the debate about structural failures of bulkers. While there are reports of the vessel striking an underwater object some time earlier, those in the industry do not believe objects like a container could cause a large enough impact to cause such structural failure.

Built in 1977 by Mitsubishi, the vessel underwent its last survey in March 2000, had it special survey in July 1997 and was subject to a port state inspection in July 1999. Those in the industry are starting to question if the bulk carrier problems have really been solved, or if this incident puts at doubt the work done by class, flag states and Port State Control.

Within six months Panama, the flag state involved, has to submit a report to the IMO, but this will not be accessible to anybody outside the IMO. IACS has offered to help Panama and will carry out its own investigation in parallel to that by the vessel`s class societies – in this case the Polish Register of Shipping.