Salvage operations have begun to free a supramax bulk carrier that ran aground off the coast of Candon Ilocos Sur, Philippines on July 17.
Singapore-based Semco Salvage & Towage has been contracted to help free the Alam Manis (55,700 dwt, built 2007), which is operated through Manis Shipping, part of Malaysian Bulk Carriers’ subsidiary New Johnson Holdings.
The vessel was carrying 53,795 metric tonnes of bulk nickel ore when it began listing to starboard during bad weather, around 225 nautical miles off Taiwan, while en route from Loreto Dinagat, Philippines to Lianyungang in China.
Henry Libo-on, the ship’s first mate, reportedly died of a heart attack shortly after the vessel ran aground. The rest of the vessel’s 20 Filippino crew and captain were rescued.
A salvage tug, the Salviscount, has also been employed in the operation from POSH Terasea Offshore, and will escort the bulker towards the nearest port of refuge, San Fernando in north Luzon.
