Heavy transport vessel runs aground off Taiwan

A few weeks after the collapse of an STS crane at Keelung Port and the grounding of a bulk carrier, the heavy transport vessel Yu Zhou Qi Hang fell victim to a typhoon off the coast of Taiwan, Project Cargo Journal reported.

On 29 October, the Environmental Protection Department of New Taipei City reported that the vessel lost power while attempting to depart from Keelung Port, heading towards China. The Taiwanese Coast Guard has reported that the Yu Zhou Qi Hang ran aground approximately 2.4 miles north-northwest of Yeliu Cape. The Coast Guard successfully evacuated the 17 crew members aboard the vessel.

After the incident with a new crane onboard the Yu Zhou Qi Hang contacting and knocking over an older crane at Keelung, the delivery vessel remained in port. It appears that the Yu Zhou Qi Hang left the port as Typhoon Kong-rey approached, before getting into difficulties that resulted in the crew being evacuated, and then the vessel grounding.

No oil spill

While efforts were made to assist the heavy transport vessel, the adverse conditions forced the tug dispatched from the mainland to abandon the operation. The vessel ultimately dropped anchor around 0.6 miles from the shore in an attempt to prevent further drifting.

These proved unsuccessful and the vessel ran aground, sustaining significant damage to both the cargo and the ship itself. The STS container crane has collapsed across the vessel and onto the shore. The department stated that the Yu Zhou Qi Hang had 247t of heavy oil and 37t of light oil on board. Preliminary inspections indicated that there was no oil spill, although authorities are implementing pollution prevention measures and are closely monitoring the situation.

DHHI equipment

The vessel originally departed from the Port of Ganjingzi in early October, which is in Dalian and serves Dalian Huarui Heavy Industry Group Co (DHHI), the former Dalian Crane Works. It was carrying one STS container crane for the Port of Keelung and two gantry grab unloaders.

The grab unloaders were destined for the new Aluminium Smelter in Kalimantan Industrial Park in Indonesia, which is being developed by Adaro and was scheduled to come online in Q3 2024.

Source: Environmental Protection Department, Taiwan