Panama-Flagged Bulker Sinks in Bay of Bengal; 2 of 24 Crew Rescued, 20 Chinese Nationals Missing
Published
12:03
A Panama-flagged bulk carrier, MV Ocean Winner (IMO 9145530), sank in the Bay of Bengal approximately 240 nautical miles off Paradip, India, on August 22, 2026. Of the 24 crew members on board, only two have been rescued so far, while 22 remain missing — including 20 Chinese nationals, three Myanmar nationals and one Bangladeshi national.
The 72,928-DWT bulker, built in 1998 and operated by Victory Star Group Co Ltd, departed Paradip Port on August 20 carrying a cargo of iron ore bound for Singapore. Communication with the vessel was lost on the morning of August 22; it subsequently disappeared from maritime tracking systems without issuing a distress signal. According to weather data, the area experienced rough conditions at the time, with waves of 4–5 metres and winds of 10–12 m/s (Beaufort 5–6).
Following the alert, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) activated the International Safety Net and diverted nearby vessels to the scene. The Greek-flagged tanker MT AISOPOS rescued two survivors from separate liferafts at around 20:00 local time. The Indian Coast Guard has deployed ICGS Varad, ICGS Anmol and ICGS Vijit, with the Indian Navy also joining the search-and-rescue operation. As of press time, the remaining 22 crew members have yet to be located.
The cause of the sinking remains under investigation. Industry observers note that iron ore is classified as a Group A cargo prone to liquefaction, which — combined with the vessel's advanced age of 28 years and the prevailing rough sea conditions — may have contributed to the rapid foundering.
READ MORE
Safety
36-Year-Old General Cargo Ship Sank in 11 Minutes After Collision, 10 Crews missing
Safety
Aging Fiberglass Lifeboats After 23-Year-Old Vessel Total Loss
Safety
Seafarer Jailed 3 Years for Bartering Seafood with Fishing Boat; Company Fined USD 140 Million
Safety
Two Tankers Collide Off Yangtze River Estuary
Safety
Breaking: Two Filipino Seafarers Killed; Saudi Bahri's Flagship VLCC Hit in Strait of Hormuz, 11 Supertankers Reflagged to Liberia
Safety
140-TONNE LIFT ENDS IN CRANE COLLAPSE AND FIRE AT MUMBAI PORT
Safety
No Security, No Shipping: Maritime Risk Is Becoming a Systemic Threat to the Global Economy
Safety
Illness Linked to 81% of Crew Death Claims in Britannia Review
Safety
Sinokor’s Hormuz Windfall Meets Reality as Loaded VLCC Is Hit and Crew Evacuated
Safety