Japanese bulker slams into pier at Brake, Germany

The 2014-built handysize bulker Mount Hope slammed into a pier at Brake on the Weser river in Germany yesterday.

The vessel was loaded with steel and was en route from Tubarao, Brazil to Bremen when it lost steering due to a technical issue.

While no injuries were reported, the vessel sustained significant damage and was taking on water in what the local water police described as “massive flooding.” A vessel was used to pump out the water, before tugs brought the ship to Niedersachsen port where it is expected to remain several days to be unloaded so repair work can commence.

Investigations into the precise cause of the accident have already started.

According to Equasis, Mount Hope is owned by the Japanese-controlled Valiant Eagle Shipping and is chartered to Clipper Group according to the Danish company’s fleet list.