Seatrade Maritime is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Fore part of MOL Comfort sinks

Fore part of MOL Comfort sinks
The fore part of containership MOL Comfort sank in the Indian Ocean in the early hours of 11 July, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has confirmed. It brings to an end a three week struggle to save the vessel after it broke in two in heavy weather.

The water depth where the fore part sank is about 3,000 metres, according to MOL.

“We have reported this fact to the flag state of Bahamas, Indian authorities and parties concerned. We will keep the salvage team at the scene to monitor if there is any oil leakage and floating containers,” MOL said.

Salvage operations had been fighting a fire on the fore section of the stricken boxship since 6 July. MOL had intended to tow the fore section to Oman where the port of Salalah had been preparing to receive the wreck.

The aft section of the vessel sank on 27 June to an approximate water depth of 4,000 metres along with about 1,700 containers onboard.

MOL Comfort split into two on the Indian Ocean on 17 June as it was believed to have suffered a major structural failure. Investigations are still going on to determine the actual cause of the structural failure.

Related stories:

MOL Comfort blaze rages out of control for fourth day

MOL appoints LR to determine cause of MOL Comfort accident

MOL Comfort's aft section sinks

MOL Comfort wreck breaks its tow

Salvors towing MOL Comfort fore section to Arabian Gulf

MOL Comfort sisterships to be sent for hull-strengthening

ClassNK expresses concerns over MOL Comfort accident

MOL Comfort split in two, rescue underway