Hanoi: Gearbulk has provided another update on the sinking of the Bulk Jupiter 13 days ago. The shipowner interviewed the only survivor, the Filipino chief cook, to try and gauge what happened to the 56,000 dwt vessel.
The sinking happened very fast with Gearbulk reporting it took “only minutes” before the vessel had developed a heavy list to starboard. The cook made his way starboard and jumped overboard. The vessel sank shortly thereafter.
The vessel had loaded a cargo of bauxite in Kuantan, Malaysia. The cargo was declared as group C cargo. Under the IMSBC Code the cargo in category "C" is described as neither prone to liquefaction nor possessing a chemical hazard. Gearbulk together with its insurance partners have contracted external experts to investigate the cargo properties against the cargo manifest, and the corresponding liquefaction risk. Until the report is at hand Gearbulk has stopped taking bauxite cargo.
Bahamas Maritime Authority will launch an investigation of the sinking. The Philippines and Vietnam have been invited to join. Gearbulk will also have a representative in this investigation. [15/01/15]
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