Cargo Ship Grounded Off South African Coast

The general cargo ship Ultra Galaxy, managed by Ultrabulk, has run aground off the coast of Brand se Baai, 385 km north of Cape Town, after being abandoned by its 18-member crew on Monday due to severe listing. Efforts are currently underway to prevent a fuel and oil spill from the vessel, which is carrying a full load of fertilizer, low-sulphur bunkering fuel, hydraulic, and related oils.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) confirmed the grounding of the Panama-registered Ultra Galaxy on Tuesday night. Salvage operations began promptly, with a tug dispatched on Monday arriving at the site on Tuesday. Another tug with additional personnel and equipment departed from Cape Town later that evening to assist in the efforts. Measures are also being taken to contain any potential spills from the vessel’s cargo.

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Transworld Fleet Management, the ISM manager of the Ultra Galaxy, stated that they are working closely with SAMSA and the appointed salvors to focus all efforts on the vessel’s recovery. The company noted that there have been no initial reports of pollution, but oil spill response equipment and assets have been mobilised as a precaution.

The Ultra Galaxy was located 60 nautical miles west of Doring Bay when it sent a distress call early Monday morning. Three nearby ships, the Fivos, the Rio Grande Express, and the fishing vessel Malachite, diverted to assist. The entire crew, consisting of 18 Filipino seafarers, escaped the listing vessel in a life raft and were rescued by the Malachite, which transported them to St Helena Bay.

The vessel, built in 2008 and owned by Fujita Shoji, was en route to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, at the time of the incident. According to available data from Equasis, it has a deadweight tonnage (dwt) of 13,800 and is 124 meters long.

Salvage operations continue at high speed to minimise the risk of pollution and assess the condition of the cargo. Despite rough sea conditions from recent cold fronts, which have battered South Africa’s ports and led to the suspension of some port operations by logistics firm Transnet, the salvage efforts are progressing. Tebogo Ramatjie, a spokesperson for SAMSA, stated that the adverse weather is not currently hampering operations.

This incident follows reports that the French shipping and logistics company CMA CGM’s vessel Benjamin Franklin lost 44 containers in difficult weather conditions off the coast of South Africa on Tuesday. The rough sea conditions highlight the challenges faced by maritime operations in the region.

As efforts continue to secure the Ultra Galaxy and prevent environmental damage, the situation remains closely monitored by SAMSA and other involved parties, ensuring that all necessary measures are taken to mitigate any potential impact.