A VIDEO has surfaced online showing a collision between two bulk carriers off Hay Point in Queensland.
According to a post accompanying the video, which originated on LinkedIn, the incident occurred at 1209 AEST on 16 July, between the vessels YM Serenity and HL Eco.
Whilst maneuvering to anchor at the Hay Point northern anchorage, HL Eco reportedly suffered a main engine propulsion system issue, after which a collision occurred with YM Serenity at the adjacent anchorage.
The video, filmed by a crew member onboard Serenity, shows the bow of Serenity impacting the port quarter of HL Eco, causing visible damage to both vessels.
HL ECO’s type-C LNG storage tank is seen to sustain visible damage during the collision, with Serenity’s bow ripping through the external material of part of the tank.
An AMSA spokesperson confirmed to DCN that no LNG was released during or following the incident, and that it was contained within the tank at all times.
MSQ Hay Point VTS was reportedly immediately notified of the collision, and activated an emergency towage response involving two tugs.
North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation issued a statement saying they provided support to MSQ to rapidly respond to the collision. This included deploying two expert marine pilots following the incident to further understand the situation as well as ensuring their staff and support vessels were prepared.
The vessels have now departed Australian waters to conduct repairs overseas, according to AMSA. MarineTraffic shows Serenity and HL Eco in transit to Singapore and Fuzhou (China) respectively.
Both vessels are classed as Capesize bulk carriers, both with deadweight tonnages of approximately 180 000. Capesize bulk vessels are unable to transit the Suez or Panama canals on account of their size, and must pass either Cape Agulhas or Cape Horn when traversing oceans.
An AMSA spokesperson said on the incident; “AMSA sent inspectors and specialist investigators to both vessels to investigate the circumstances of the incident and to assess the seaworthiness of both vessels.
“AMSA takes its role as the National Maritime Safety Regulator very seriously. Bulk carriers HL Eco and YM Serenity were detained following the incident due to seaworthiness issues and a suspicion of involvement in a contravention of the law.
“Both vessel operators worked with AMSA to rectify and clear any seaworthiness concerns.”
According to the spokesperson, the master of HL Eco is to appear in court for a contravention relating to the incident.
“Following investigations, AMSA is seeking that the master of HL ECO be held to account for a contravention.
“Investigations into the collision are continuing with the Master of the HL ECO appearing in Mackay Magistrates Court on 30 July 2024 in Mackay in relation to an offence against the Navigation Act 2012. The matter will return to court on 3 September 2024.”
An ATSB spokesperson said, “After assessing the circumstances and determining that AMSA was conducting its own investigation, the ATSB decided not to undertake a transport safety investigation of this occurrence.”
HL Eco is much newer, having been delivered in 2021 alongside HL Green to South Korean steel manufacturer POSCO, a global player in steelmaking.
At the time of delivery, POSCO claimed the two vessels as the world’s first LNG-powered bulk ships. In an announcement from the time of delivery, POSCO stated the newbuilds would transport iron ore and coal to steelworks, traveling between Korea and Australia.
Hay Point is one of the largest coal export ports in the world, with a 2022-23 throughput total of over 99 million tonnes.
This article has been amended to reflect that NQBP pilots were not on board during the collision, but rather following the collision to understand the situation.
